President Volodymyr Zelenskyi on Thursday evening once again assured Ukrainians that he is working on strengthening the country’s air defense and mentioned in the context of the fruitful, but so far secret, conversation between Kyiv and representatives of the British military leadership. On the other hand, Zelensky says that he wants to achieve the release of Ukrainian children deported by the Russians with the help of the Church and held discussions on this matter with a representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, News.ro reports.

“We do not forget about our main goal – to win the war and not lose the country. Ukraine should make the most of its historic chance for development, won by the courage of our people – all of our people,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address to the nation. In this regard, he stated that work is underway on the “Ukrainian doctrine”, which, according to him, is a “fundamental text”, “the basis for the transformation of the country”, but did not provide details.

After the war, Ukraine wants to join the European Union and NATO.

“We are preparing several defense packages for our soldiers and several defense systems for the entire Ukrainian society, including air defense systems,” Zelenskyy repeated what he had been telling Ukrainians for a long time. But this time he told them that he had a conversation with representatives of the British military leadership – “a closed conversation, but it was an effective conversation,” Zelensky noted after telling his compatriots that he had a “long and tiring” new day. meetings, discussions and meetings”.

Among the meetings that he considered worthy of public mention was a meeting with the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Metropolitan Emanuel. “We work at all levels and with all subjects of international relations to implement the Peace Formula, especially for the return to Ukraine of children deported from our land. I am grateful to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for its willingness to help,” said Zelensky.

And the Vatican is negotiating with Kyiv and Moscow on the return of deported Ukrainian children home.

“Ukraine will survive, it will preserve its independence – all aspects of independence, including spiritual independence. And I am grateful to everyone in the world who supports our country and our people in this regard,” the Ukrainian president added.

Based on the habit he has recently developed of naming soldiers who distinguished themselves in battles by their first and last names, Zelenskyi spoke about Oleksandr Green, thanks to whom “more than two dozen occupiers were killed and wounded.” In addition, the soldier also took prisoners. “Thank you, Oleksandr, for replenishing our exchange fund,” Zelensky said before naming a number of other brave fighters, including a woman.

“Soldier Andrii Maksishka (…) took out the wounded, he himself was wounded, but after treatment he returned to the front line,” Zelenskyi said.

The coverage of these fighters takes place in conditions where the Ukrainian counteroffensive is difficult and with heavy losses. “I am proud of all of you, our warriors! To each of you!” – the president told them, clearly trying to raise the morale of the troops. (News.ro)