Yesterday, July 30, Volodymyr Zelenskyi held a Congress of local and regional authorities of Ukraine in Ivano-Frankivsk.
In yesterday’s evening address to Ukrainians, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi spoke about the results of the Congress, during which issues of energy, reconstruction, budget, etc. were discussed. The communities were also presented with the Peace Formula.
“Today we work in Frankivsk, in the Carpathian region. I had the honor to visit our soldiers who are undergoing treatment after injuries. He thanked them for the protection of the state, for the strength.
And thank you guys for the chevrons!
He thanked our doctors, nurses – we are proud of our doctors, everyone who saves lives.
A meeting of the Congress of local and regional authorities of Ukraine was held in Frankivsk. Our communities, government officials, representatives of the defense and security forces. Partners of Ukraine who cooperate with the Congress. It was a very meaningful conversation.
The first is energy, preparation for winter.
Russian aggression was bankrupt on the battlefield. Today is the 522nd day of the so-called “special military operation”, which the Russian leadership expected to last a week or two. Ukraine is becoming stronger. The war is gradually returning to the territory of Russia – to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely just process.
But we must be aware that, as last year, as well as this winter, Russian terrorists can still attack our energy system and critical facilities. Today we discussed with the communities the current state of preparation of all possible scenarios.
They also discussed the issue of urgent reconstruction, in particular of energy, of various life support systems in communities. Odesa, our southern regions, Kharkiv, regions of the West of our country, bordering northern regions. It is vital that local authorities across the country are as active as possible right now – in summer and September – in everything that needs to be done before the colder months of the year.
Budget issues were discussed. With targeted subventions from the state budget – an amount that is not enough – the government will help with this. Many other issues of the community are able to be closed with their own funds and work with extrabudgetary resources.
People see who is engaged in paving instead of helping soldiers, who spends on bot farms instead of drones for the front, who invests in related companies instead of reconstructing hospitals and rehabilitating soldiers. The number one priority is defense, protection of the state and people. I’m sure everyone on the ground heard it. Shelter and fortification, assistance to brigades, assistance to the families of heroes, protection of displaced persons – all this has resources in local authorities.
By the way, the involvement of churches here, in the Frankiv region, in solving social issues is very important. Assistance to displaced persons, families of soldiers, and the medical field. This makes the Ukrainian social fabric stronger.
I thank the local authorities both in Prykarpattia and in other regions for supporting the work of enterprises, in particular relocated ones. Every workplace, every Ukrainian product, and especially a defense product, is the approach of our victory.
And a few more things.
We presented to communities our work on the Peace Formula, security guarantees for Ukraine for the period before joining NATO, negotiations with the Alliance and the European Union. People need to understand the details of our international policy, and there is a part where they can help.
In particular, so that people’s deputies of Ukraine have a tangible incentive to work for the solutions needed by Ukraine. All the laws needed to open negotiations with the European Union must be passed. And if someone is not ready to work positively in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, he or she should understand how negative it will be for them in their communities. And they should feel the appropriate attitude towards themselves: either they are for Ukraine, or it will be difficult for them in Ukraine,” the President said.
Traditionally, Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the defenders for this day at the front.
“The Bakhmut direction, other very hot and painful directions in Donbas: Avdiyivka, Maryinka, and also, of course, the southern directions.
The 5th assault brigade, the 80th separate brigade of the DSHV, the 92nd separate and the 110th separate mechanized brigades, very, very strong… Marines of the 35th and 36th brigades, paratroopers of the glorious “Simdesyatdevyatka”, 47th separate mechanized brigade, artillerymen of the 55th separate brigade. Well done, warriors!
And I would especially like to note today the special unit “Artan” and the 9th department of the GUR – thank you!
Glory to all who fight for Ukraine!
Thank you, Frankivska, for this day!
Glory to Ukraine!”, the head of state emphasized.