Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing fellow citizens on Volunteer Day, said that today all Ukrainians are volunteers.
"Today we celebrate essentially our Ukrainian holiday - Volunteer Day. It is our ability to instantly unite in times of adversity, to find a common language, to fight together, to create our character. Ukrainian character. We can ignore each other in ordinary life. You must agree that this happens to us and has happened before. But when we see a threat to our life, our spirit, when we see a threat to Ukraine, to our state - we don't hesitate for a minute if we are Ukrainians. We unite, we do everything to protect our own," Zelensky said in a video message on Monday.
As the president stressed, Ukrainians do not need to be persuaded to become volunteers, nor do they need to be encouraged to start helping one another.
"Ukraine for us is not just a territory, as for the occupiers. They don't distinguish anything here, they don't understand anything. That's why for them it's all just a target. Ukraine for us is millions of happy moments, native symbols, memorable places. We feel this land. Ukraine for us is our life, and that's why millions of people stood up to defend our state today. That's why today we are all volunteers. Everyone who defends Ukraine, our children, who protects our future. All those who feel this free call... The call to defend Ukraine... ", - he said.
Zelensky also noted all those involved in the protection of the state, in particular, the military, journalists, representatives of territorial defense and business, diplomats, technicians, suppliers of food and humanitarian aid, doctors, drivers, rescue workers, etc.
"To all I am grateful. And I sincerely congratulate you! To each and every one of the volunteers. All who work together for the victory, "- said the head of state, adding that it is the strong support of the AFU by the people, the sincere volunteer movement, the mass entry of citizens in the territorial defense and the solidarity of all Ukrainians are the basis for victory and the liberation of the country.
The Ukrainian president also promised to speak tonight about the outcome of negotiations with Russia, the next round of which is taking place on Monday.
"The video meeting of the delegations has already begun today. It continues. Everyone is waiting for news. We will definitely report in the evening," he said in a video message and Monday afternoon.
At the same time, he urged Ukrainians to hold on, to fight to win.
"To come to the peace Ukrainians deserve. An honest peace. With security guarantees for our state, our people. And to put it on paper in negotiations, difficult negotiations," he said.
Zelensky noted that "the Russian state has been preparing for war for decades. They have accumulated a significant military resource for the sake of evil, for the sake of conquering their neighbors. And for the sake of destroying Ukraine, Europe, which we know it to be, which we appreciate."
Vladimir Zelensky said it was necessary to remove all barriers to small and medium-sized businesses, "so that life appeared on the streets of cities."
"Life should appear on the streets of cities. Where security permits. Where people can provide it. Pharmacy, commerce, any business that can just work today. For the country to live. So that the reconstruction of Ukraine can begin. And it depends on each of us, on everyone who can work," he said in a video message on Monday.
The president of Ukraine noted that "the economic suppression of Ukraine is one of the tasks of the war against us today."
"That is why the government has received a clear instruction to bring back small and medium-sized businesses. Remove everything that interferes. To loosen taxes as much as possible, to remove all hindrances, absolutely everything. So that the system does not pressurize, so that people know that they can work as they can. Where they can," he said.
Zelenski believes that "a new tax model is needed for the time of war and for post-war development. Financial rules should also be updated. So that people feel that it is possible to be resilient. To feel that all the money and valuables will be saved. And that one can not be afraid of losing anything, because the state of Ukraine guarantees everyone the safety of assets and savings."
"The Cabinet of Ministers is already working on how to formalize it normatively. In a day or two we'll have the details," said the president of Ukraine.
