Dear Ukrainians!
First of all, gratitude to our infantrymen, to all those who hold positions. And where there are Ukrainian infantry, there are our positions. A lot is said about the transformation of war, and it is true: most tasks are performed by drones and people with drones. But the positions of the state are where there are infantry. Respect for every Ukrainian infantryman for his courage. Now the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the military command are working to strengthen our infantry - new contracts, new financial resources, new opportunities for those who are on the front line, in combat missions. I want to thank all Ukrainian infantrymen both on Infantry Day and always.
Second. Today there was a meeting on some special post-war opportunities of our soldiers. The whole world sees that the Ukrainian soldier is truly strong, truly experienced. Our security export – after this war and for veterans – should be a real business opportunity. This is right, this is fair, so that our state can continue to be a global actor, so that Ukrainian soldiers can earn on the unprecedented experience that our defense has provided. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, intelligence, the necessary government officials, the Office team are preparing a legislative framework for what is called “military companies” in the world. I instructed to develop the most optimal format for Ukraine and ensure the adoption of the law this year. Leading world powers attract their citizens to work in the so-called private military companies and in some other organizational forms. It is important to give our state response to this niche, to this opportunity, to this demand in the field of security exports.
And also, the Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko reported today on the preparation of amendments to the draft law that will regulate the circulation of civilian firearms. Many people are already involved in this work – not only the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but also parliamentarians, military, law enforcement officers, representatives of the public sphere, and business representatives. I thank everyone for their concern. Ukraine needs a modern and strong law on civilian firearms that will protect citizens without weapons and will actually regulate the situation for those who own weapons.
Hungary's step today is important - Ukraine has been returned the full amount of money and valuables - bank gold - that were actually stolen during the Orban era. This is a truly honest decision by Hungary - to return funds to Oschadbank. We appreciate that under the influence of the new team, Hungary is taking such steps towards good neighborliness. We in Ukraine are ready to move accordingly.
Today we spoke with the Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko and the head of the Office Kyrylo Budanov about the decisions that need to be implemented in domestic policy. In particular, personnel in the government, state-owned companies. In the near future, there will be changes at the level of deputy ministers - relevant proposals are being prepared now. There are vacancies for ministers, they need to be filled. Discussions are ongoing in society about replacing some ministers, and urgently - about personnel changes in state-owned companies. I instructed the government to accelerate changes in Energoatom - a new professional head of the company is needed. There has already been a discussion about replacing the head of such a special company as Forests of Ukraine. We need more transparency in the company, more income for the state budget. Decisions in the banking sector should also be more operational. The state controls too much of the country's banking sector, there is definitely an opportunity here to provide more opportunities for business, especially since this has already been determined, government decisions have been made. In particular, Sense Bank, which was transferred from Russian sanctioned owners to the state, as well as Ukrgasbank, which the government has planned for privatization. It is desirable to do this this year. Ukraine needs more active economic processes.
One more thing – the most important thing for today.
I want to thank every state, I want to thank every leader who supported Ukraine and our state's proposal - the proposal that we gave to Russia - to establish complete silence. As of today, we see that Russia has responded to our proposal for a ceasefire only with new strikes, new attacks. Today, practically all day long, practically every hour, there have been reports of strikes from our various regions. Donetsk region, Kharkiv region, Dnipro region, Sumy, Sumy region, Chernihiv region, Zaporizhia, Kherson. Russia has not stopped any of its military activity. Unfortunately, it has not stopped. Ukraine will act in a mirror image. Depending on the situation tonight and tomorrow, we will also decide on our completely fair responses. Russia has received a clear proposal from us regarding silence and diplomacy and knows how to contact Ukraine or its partners to agree on the details. If that one person in Moscow who cannot live without war is only interested in one parade and nothing else, then that is another matter. Ukraine is ready to work for peace. Ukraine seeks to end this war with dignity. Russia has come to the point that their main parade already depends on us. And this is a clear signal: we must end it. I thank everyone who is with us, who is with Ukraine!
Glory to Ukraine!