“Each week increases the strength and capabilities of Ukraine, which means that each week brings our victory closer,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyi told Ukrainians on Sunday evening in a nightly video speech, in which he summed up his trip across the ocean, during which he went to the United States and Canada, writes News.ro. He spoke about America’s “historic decision” to have some of the weapons and equipment produced by the local Ukrainian industry.

Volodymyr Zelenskyi was in New York, where he took part in the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly, and then was received in Washington by the White House and Congress, for the second time in nine months.

President Joe Biden announced a new aid package for Ukraine, although it does not yet include the much-desired ATACMS long-range missile systems, while at the Capitol, Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not address the assembled chambers of Congress as he did in December, but he tried in meetings with by various congressmen to further enlist their support, especially Republican support, for relief.

Speaking about the received defense packages, Volodymyr Zelenskyi noted that from the US these are artillery, necessary shells, missiles for HIMARS, missiles for air defense, additional air defense systems, tactical vehicles and “several other types of weapons that they have.” will see on the battlefield.”

From Canada’s side, “we have a decision on long-term defense support. The amount is half a billion US dollars. In particular, we are talking about medical evacuation vehicles, which are badly needed at the front,” Zelenskyi said.

“America’s Historic Decision”

But, Zelensky emphasized, it is even more important that it was agreed that part of the weapons and equipment will be produced by the local Ukrainian industry. Zelensky spoke about “America’s historic decision on the joint production of weapons and defense systems, including air defense.”

“This is something that until recently was an absolute fantasy. But it will become a reality. We will implement it,” Zelensky emphasized. “This is a new quality of Ukraine’s defense industry – it is much stronger. And this is the economy. Protection for our cities. Enterprises, new jobs for both our peoples – for Ukrainians and for Americans. We have a clear vision – on which we have already agreed – of a new, stronger Ukraine to prevent the recurrence of Russian aggression. I am grateful to President Biden, his entire team and everyone in America who values ​​freedom and supports Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in an evening video speech.

He told his compatriots that he had very important meetings in Washington in Congress, with both parties and with both chambers. “There were many questions, a lot of dialogue. As well as honest answers, absolute frankness and sincere understanding. And I specifically asked for such a format of meeting and communication in the Congress, which would allow us to have as detailed a discussion as possible. And thanks to this, more confidence appeared, and I heard that support for Ukraine will continue,” said the Kyiv leader.

Canada will restore the Kakhovsky plant

“In general, many strong and morally important positions were expressed in America at different levels – from the highest to everyone with whom the Ukrainian delegation worked. Likewise in Canada. There is a clear unity. There are new sanctions against Russia and there will be even more pressure on sanctions,” Zelenskyy assured.

He revealed that economic deals had been reached with both governments and private companies.

“We have a decision on a free trade zone with Canada. In Washington, we have a memorandum on energy cooperation. In Ottawa, an agreement was reached on the restoration of the Kakhovka power plant and the reconstruction of the Kaniv power plant. The interest of large companies from the USA and Canada to work in Ukraine is obvious,” Zelenskyi said.

“At the level of the Ministry of Strategic Industries, we have a mutual understanding with defense enterprises,” the president said.

“And there is a very important mutual understanding at the level of societies – at the level of ordinary people who really care about Ukraine and who really want us to win and for all Ukrainians to be protected from Russian terror. When ordinary people in America say that they pray for Ukraine, it really touches me and adds strength to our relations,” said President Zelensky.

He also thanked the Canadian government for its willingness to provide funds for the Holodomor Museum and the completion of this museum.

Volodymyr Zelensky also got acquainted with the humanitarian results achieved by his wife Olena Zelenska. “We have agreements with the First Lady of Ukraine to support the rehabilitation of veterans and there is a corresponding Ukrainian-Canadian medical partnership. Olena expands the access of Ukrainian culture to the most important museums in the world: we have an agreement with the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Elena also had important meetings and appeals at the UN, especially regarding the protection of Ukrainian children during the war,” Zelenskyy said.

At the end of the speech, Volodymyr Zelenskyi thanked, by nominating them, several brigades participating in the Ukrainian counteroffensive, indirectly confirming that there are certain developments and results at the front. “Thank you to everyone who is fighting for Ukraine, who is on combat posts, on combat missions! Thanks to everyone who helps! Each week increases the strength and capabilities of Ukraine. This means that every week brings us closer to victory,” concluded Zelensky.

____

• Follow the latest events of the war in Ukraine LIVETEXT on HotNews.ro