Each week increases the strength and capabilities of Ukraine, which means that each week brings us closer to victory, President Volodymyr Zelensky told Ukrainians on Sunday evening in a nightly video speech in which he took stock of his overseas tour, which took him in the United States and Canada. He spoke about a “historic decision” by America, that part of the weapons and equipment be produced by the local Ukrainian industry, writes News.ro.
Volodymyr ZelenskyPhoto: Ukraine Presidency/Ukraine Presi / Zuma Press / Profimedia
Volodymyr Zelensky was in New York, where he attended the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly, and then he was received in Washington at the White House and in 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 longer-range missile systems, while at the Capitol Volodymyr Zelenskiy did not give a speech to the assembled chambers of Congress, as he did in December, but he tried, in the meetings he had with various congressmen, to further secure their support, especially the Republican one, for the provision of aid.
Speaking about the obtained defense packages, Volodymyr Zelensky said that from the United States, they include artillery, the necessary shells, missiles for HIMARS, missiles for air defense, additional air defense systems, tactical vehicles and “several other types of weapons that are they 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 very necessary at the front,” Zelenski said.
“America’s Historic Decision”
But, Zelensky emphasized, even more important is that it was agreed that part of the weapons and equipment will be produced by the local Ukrainian industry. Zelenski spoke about “a historic decision by America to jointly produce weapons and defense systems, including air defense.
“This is something that was an absolute fantasy until recently. But it will become a reality. We will make this a reality,” Zelenskiy emphasized. “This is the new quality of Ukraine’s defense industry – much stronger. And this is the economy. Protection for our cities. Enterprises, new jobs for both our peoples – for Ukrainians and Americans. We have a clear vision – what we have already agreed – of a new, stronger Ukraine to prevent a repeat of Russian aggression. I am grateful to President Biden, his entire team, and everyone in America who values freedom and supports Ukraine,” Zelenskiy said in the nightly 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 a lot of questions, a lot of dialogue. Equally honest answers, absolute frankness and sincere understanding. And I specifically asked for a meeting and communication format in Congress that would allow us to have as detailed a discussion as possible. And because of this, there was more confidence and I heard that the support for Ukraine will continue”, the leader from Kiev claimed.
Canada will restore the Kahovka plant
“In general, there were many strong and morally important positions expressed in America at different levels – from the highest level to all those with whom the Ukrainian delegation worked. The same is true in Canada. There is a clear unity. There are new sanctions against Russia and there will be even more pressure for sanctions,” Zelenski assured.
He showed that economic agreements were obtained both with governments and with 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 Kahovka power plant and the reconstruction of the Kaniv power plant. The interest of large companies from the United States and Canada to work in Ukraine is obvious,” Zelensky said.
“At the level of the Ministry of Strategic Industries, we have a mutual understanding with defense companies”, announced the president.
“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 they are praying for Ukraine, it really moves me and gives strength to our relations,” President Zelenskiy said.
He also thanked the Canadian government for its willingness to provide funding for the Holodomor Museum and for the completion of this museum.
Volodymyr Zelenski also reviewed 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 of Art in New York. Olena also had important meetings and appeals at the UN, especially regarding the protection of Ukrainian children during the war,” Zelensky said.
At the end of the speech, Volodymyr Zelensky thanked, by nominating them, several brigades involved in the Ukrainian counteroffensive, indirectly confirming that there is some progress and results on the front. “Thank you to all those who are fighting for Ukraine, who are 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 Zelenski.
On the whole, many morally robust and meaningful things were voiced at different levels in the United States – from the top level to all those the Ukrainian delegation was in talks and worked with. The same is true for Canada. There is a real unity. pic.twitter.com/SSOjr6vpI3
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Volodymyr Zelenskyy (@ZelenskyyUa) September 24, 2023
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