In an address to the nation on Monday evening, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said that the Ukrainian authorities will do “everything possible and impossible” to provide support to soldiers on the front lines, News.ro reports.

“The government has approved and proposes to the Verkhovna Rada to adopt amendments to the state budget, which will additionally provide more than half a trillion hryvnias for defense. All funds will go to the financial support of the army, to support our defense sector, and to purchase defense equipment, including drones. We will do everything possible and impossible to strengthen our soldiers,” Zelensky said

He noted that he also discussed humanitarian demining. Currently, more than 170 thousand square kilometers of the territory of Ukraine remain dangerous due to enemy mines and unexploded ammunition. A significant part of this territory is farm land, cultivated land.

The President also discussed support for farmers. “In wartime, the second sowing has already begun on a large scale. Last year, the heroic efforts of our farmers and all workers in the agricultural sector made it possible to preserve Ukrainian agricultural production and Ukraine’s global role as a guarantor of food security. And thank you to everyone who contributed to this.”

The government is working on appropriate measures to support the industry, and the situation in the energy sector seems to have returned to normal. “In fact, we provide the energy needs of Ukrainians in the entire free territory of the state, in accordance with the generation capacities. We continue to prepare for the next heating season, both from the point of view of accumulating resources and from the point of view of protecting our energy facilities,” said the Ukrainian leader.

Zelenskyi also noted that the campaign continues for Russia to receive new sanctions and thanked Canada for the sanctions applied:

“Recently, Canada took an important step by expanding sanctions on Russian imports of aluminum and steel. I thank Canada for this decision – for this signal to the international community. We must not only limit the terrorist state’s ability to circumvent existing sanctions, but we also impose new, to prevent Russia from adapting to global pressure.

The less Russia’s ability to adapt to sanctions, the sooner we will restore the territorial integrity of our country and restore peace in Ukraine. And, of course, our defense forces. Our soldiers and global pressure on Russia are the only effective guarantee of protecting the freedom of Ukraine, Europe and the free world.”

The situation in the east is very painful, says Zelensky: “We must destroy the military power of the enemy and we will do it. Belogorivka and Maryinka, Avdiyivka and Bakhmut, Vugledar and Kamianka – and all other places where our future is decided. Where they fight for our future, all Ukrainians. I am grateful to everyone who is fighting right now!

Thank you to everyone who defends their positions and fights for Ukraine and our brothers and sisters! Thank you to everyone who never disappoints those on the front lines with them! Today I want to congratulate the fighters of the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade on their successful actions in the Bakhmut area. Thank you guys!”