President Zelenskyy: Ukraine should achieve maximum defense independence

“There have been several international meetings. Cardinal Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, paid a visit to Ukraine. I am grateful for this signal. This is the signal of support for Ukraine, for Ukrainians, and for our desire to live in our own state, and to live truly peacefully,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a traditional address to the Ukrainian nation on July 23.

I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today I held a meeting of the Staff. Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Barhylevych delivered reports on the front – our actions, our steps, and the real situation with the occupier’s intentions and capabilities. Our task is to ensure by all means and with all our strength the constant effective destruction of Russian troops, their logistics and their important positions not only directly on the frontline, but also in all available depths. Available to our long-range capability. We are working with our partners to increase this level of defense. But while we are waiting for our partners’ decisions, we are looking for our own solutions, our own options. In this case, the key is our drones, our flexibility in the use of drones. Ukrainian warriors have already proven to be real innovators in many areas of drone use. And it is worth continuing, and we will continue this. I am grateful to everyone who helps with this – those who produce drones, those who supply them, those who train drone operators and those who generally promote this issue. Ukrainian leadership in this technological aspect, it is really tangible. Today, at the Staff meeting, we did a detailed analysis of our electronic warfare capabilities – the things that are already being done, the things that show real combat success. As well as the things we need to do on top of that. Plus, the missile program. Our missile program is showing good dynamics, and although it is a challenging task, we are gradually approaching the possibility of using our own missiles, and not just relying on missiles supplied by our partners. Over time, Ukraine should achieve maximum defense independence, as such states always find effective allies and realize their interests more easily.

Full text of the address: Office of the President of Ukraine