Ukraine is now at a decisive stage of the struggle for its independence and sovereignty. And our country will definitely achieve long-term security, freedom and peace.

 This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyi during the graduation ceremony of officers at the Kyiv Institute of the National Guard.

 He emphasized that the National Guard has become one of the key elements of the general defense system of our country, which prevents the enemy from conquering Ukraine. Both during the years of the war in Donbas, and from the first minutes of the full-scale invasion of Russia, the National Guardsmen show true Ukrainian strength and do everything to ensure that Ukraine survives.

 "We are now at a decisive stage of the struggle for our independence, sovereignty, the struggle for Ukraine, which has been going on for centuries and has become the content of the lives of different generations of our people," Zelenskyi said.

 The head of state stressed that he has no doubts that "we will manage to protect Ukraine and win long-term security, freedom and peace for the Ukrainian people."

 "We must do everything to speed up this result, speed up our victory. I believe that your actions will bring our common Ukrainian goal closer. And let your character show its steeliness in the fight against the occupier," Zelenskyі said.

 In turn, the president expressed his gratitude to all soldiers, leadership, officers of the National Guard of Ukraine, Kharkiv National Academy of NSU and Kyiv Institute of NSU.

 The OP noted that from the first days of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, the staff of these educational institutions took an active part in repelling the enemy.

 It will be recalled that earlier President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said that Ukraine will be able to win over Russia in the battles for Crimea and Donbas, as was the case a year ago in the Kyiv region.