Zelensky: Weeks ahead will define in many ways this year

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in a video address, Ukrinform reports.

"It is only the beginning of June, but these are already the weeks that will determine the whole summer and, in many ways, this year. It is about the Peace Summit and our consolidation of the world for the sake of Ukraine, it is also about Europe – our relations with the European Union, and of course it is also about our positions on the front and domestic production," Zelensky said.

Source: Official Telegram channel of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

He also added: "We see the threats that exist. The State must be ready to respond accordingly."

"We are doing our best in each of these areas to bring results – to bring them to Ukraine. I am grateful to everyone who is helping! I am grateful to everyone who is doing everything possible to ensure that this war ends and that it ends in a fair way for Ukraine," Zelensky said.

Full text of the president's address

Dear Ukrainians!

First of all – the Staff. There was a detailed conversation with the military, the Government, and the heads of special services on a number of issues.

First, Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Barhylevych delivered their reports on the situation on the front. The main directions. The majority of the battles and the heaviest attacks are taking place in the Donetsk region. In fact, this is the main direction of Russian strikes. Of course, we also addressed the situation in the south, in the Kharkiv region, in the border areas of the Sumy and Chernihiv regions. I am grateful to every unit, every commander and soldier who helped stabilize the Kharkiv direction. We are doing everything necessary, step by step, to make Russia see that we have the means to respond to any attempt to expand the war and increase pressure on Ukraine. And we are working with our partners to improve our capabilities – to make them even more long-range.

Second. A report by Government officials on the energy sector and the possibilities for protection and recovery. Every day and at all levels, this should receive not just maximum but total attention from all responsible officials. Also today, the Minister of Defense and the Ministry of Strategic Industries reported on our production and procurement of drones. This is the area where we must constantly increase the volume. In this war, it has been proven – and especially by our warriors – that drones can give the advantage and help regain the initiative. While we were waiting for artillery supplies from our partners, the FPV drones practically saved the front line. Our long-range drones have proven Ukraine's ability to degrade the internal strength of a terrorist state. We must continue this. We will continue. I thank everyone who works for this particular Ukrainian strength – for our warriors at the front to have the necessary drones, and for our Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine to continue to change the situation by using drones. And this is a matter of personal responsibility of the leadership.

And third. Today, I gave several instructions on the preparations for the next meetings of the Staff and the next decisions. We see the threats that exist. The State must be ready to respond accordingly. It is only the beginning of June, but these are already the weeks that will determine the whole summer and, in many ways, this year. It is about the Peace Summit and our consolidation of the world for the sake of Ukraine, it is also about Europe – our relations with the European Union, and of course it is also about our positions on the front and domestic production. We are doing our best in each of these areas to bring results – to bring them to Ukraine. I am grateful to everyone who is helping! I am grateful to everyone who is doing everything possible to ensure that this war ends and that it ends in a fair way for Ukraine.

Glory to Ukraine!