Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s evening address based on the results of the day on October 24:
“I wish you health, dear Ukrainian men and women!
Today is a busy day, a lot of international work.
Another summit of the Crimean Platform, its parliamentary dimension, took place. The first such summit was held last year in Croatia, now the second is in the Czech Republic. I am grateful to our Czech partners for their help in organizing the summit.
The summit’s powerful declaration is support for Ukraine, our territorial integrity and sovereignty, the need to liberate all our land from the occupier and all our people from Russian captivity. Supporting our Peace Formula. A clear voice for increased pressure on Russia and exactly the kind of help Ukraine needs to win this war.
I thank Ruslan Stefanchuk and the entire team of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the involved state institutions for a brilliantly held summit.
This time, almost 70 delegations of parliaments from different countries of the world. Quality statements. The constant attention of the democratic world to Ukraine, to our protection.
I addressed the participants of the summit and outlined our tactics regarding the Black Sea region and Crimea. Despite the many doubts that various world actors had, Ukraine proved that it is capable of winning – despite all the difficulties – precisely in the Black Sea region.
This is truly a historic achievement, when the Russian fleet flees not only from the western part of the sea, but even from Crimea. However, this will make no sense for the occupiers.
And now I want to say separately to all our people in the Crimea, in Sevastopol, in all the occupied areas of the South and East of our country. In the still occupied areas. Dear Ukrainians! All of you feel that the Russian presence on our land is not forever. I know it.
Ukraine will return its territory, its people. We will not leave anyone to the occupiers. And we are working by all means to ensure that this war ends with the defeat of the occupiers.
Today, he took part in the meeting of the College of European Commissioners – an important institution of the EU – headed by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Step by step, we are moving towards a historic achievement in relations with Europe – we are working to open negotiations on Ukraine’s membership in the EU already this year.
There are significant legislative innovations, there are necessary steps in the development of institutions.
In addition to the obvious fateful significance for us as a country, the start of negotiations with the EU on membership will also have a significant practical effect here and now – for all our people, for our soldiers. Motivation is also a weapon, and it also needs to be recharged. We expect this powerful charge for Ukrainian motivation – readiness on the part of the EU to start negotiations with Ukraine, an appropriate political decision. I thank all partners who bring it closer together with us.
A few more things.
Another Ukrainian-German business forum started today in Germany. The main thing is that our defense industry, our energy industry, and infrastructure are presented at the forum.
There are good agreements, joint projects. I am personally grateful to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, his government team, and the entire German society: our current level of relations and trust between Ukraine and Germany is truly the highest in all the years of independence.
We are preparing another powerful international meeting – a meeting on the Ukrainian peace formula at the level of advisers and special representatives.
It will soon be almost a year since the points of the Peace Formula were presented. And a lot has been done this year – our Peace Formula is gradually becoming global. Now the Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are working on expanding the circle of meeting participants – we already understand that all continents will be represented.
Thank you to everyone in the world who helps Ukraine bring a just peace closer! Today, I want to single out Denmark – I met with the Minister of Defense of Denmark. We discussed our further cooperation – the preparation of a new defense support package. We use every day, every week to make our state stronger.
Glory to the Ukrainian soldiers! Glory to all our people!
Glory to Ukraine!”.