President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said on Monday evening that the bad weather that hit Ukraine caused several victims, the worst balance in the Odesa region, where five people died and 19 were injured. Also, almost 1,500 settlements in 17 regions were left without power, and the cyclone is now moving to the north of the country.

“In every community, it is important to do everything possible so that people do not lose their lives due to the weather. Unfortunately, there are also fatal cases. The most in Odesa region is five people. My condolences to their families and friends. At least 19 people were injured,” Zelensky said in an address to the nation on Monday evening, News.ro reports.

Zelensky noted that now the epicenter of the cyclone is moving to the northern regions, and the authorities are ready to help with the help of volunteers.

“I want to thank the volunteers who support people in the communities. It is very important to take care of the lonely and the elderly,” said Zelensky, noting the efforts of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the National Guard and the National Police, which provide round-the-clock assistance, the president assured.

Many roads were blocked and drivers got stuck in the snow, often with the help of volunteers.

Also, Zelensky noted, energy workers everywhere are working to restore electricity supply “as soon as possible”, considering that 1,500 settlements in 17 regions were left without electricity.

“Operational headquarters at both the national and regional levels will work until the situation normalizes,” Zelenskyy promised.

“I turned to the International Maritime Organization. I informed them what the Ukrainians have done to restore normal sea routes in the Black Sea.”

At the diplomatic level, he said that on Monday he had a telephone conversation with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, and with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

With the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, Zelensky noted that he discussed “the situation in the Middle East, current events and prospects”, as well as the development of bilateral relations and “joint activities for the full implementation of the peace formula.” Saudi Arabia provided a lot of help in this area, and I am grateful to them for that,” Zelenskyy said.

With the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Zelenskyy spoke about the preparation of a decision on the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine and on the continuation of EU support for the next year, two decisions that risk not meeting the necessary unanimity on the part of the EU. leaders

“Also, today I spoke before the participants of the session of the International Maritime Organization, one of the most respected institutions in the world, which deals with safety – the safety of shipping. I told them about Ukraine’s successes in the Black Sea – what Ukrainians have done to restore normal sea routes in the Black Sea. We thanked them for supporting our efforts and demanded that Russia bear fair and deserved responsibility for its aggression and terror, for the violation of all fundamental freedoms and rules that underlie the international order,” Zelensky told his compatriots.

He assured that every day Kyiv works with partners on new packages of defense support.

As the press reported, the Ukrainian army is facing recruitment difficulties, Zelenskyi said that since the beginning of the war, 64,258 military personnel from all defense and security forces of Ukraine have received state awards.

“Great courage, great resilience, great determination to make sure that Ukraine will gain the upper hand in this war. I thank everyone who fights for Ukraine and Ukrainians! I thank all commanders who do not care about the lives of soldiers! Thank you to everyone who is focused on making our country stronger – our entire state. You cannot win this battle alone – only together, all those who care about each other and Ukraine,” concluded President Zelenskyy, apparently hinting that there may be further changes in the leadership of the army after it has already been dismissed several commanders and there will be disagreements with Chief of the General Staff Valery Zaluzhny.

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