"Wishing health to all Ukrainians!"

We have good news from the European Union. They have approved a macro-financial assistance of 5 billion euros for our country. This is very significant.

Secondly, there's a decision by the EU Council to suspend the simplified visa regime between the EU and Russia. This will take effect as early as Monday. And there are specific recommendations from the European Commission regarding visa restrictions for Russian citizens.

This is Europe’s defense against cynical exploitation of its territory by those who do not want any change, who do not fight against war but simply consume and entertain themselves as if nothing were happening in Europe, as if there were no Russian terror.

Unified Europe is the second target for Russia after our country, after our independence. And it's right that Europe is defending itself.

Today in Kyiv I discussed this topic with our friends — the President of Latvia and the Prime Minister of Poland who are on a visit.

Of course, recommendations at the pan-European level are very significant. However, there is legal space to go further, to do more. As have done the Baltic states and Poland. It's hard to see a state that is a terrorist as a source of tourism or business visits.

We also talked today about our bilateral cooperation with EU countries. This includes simplifying procedures at our border. We must remove barriers that still hinder our citizens and companies. Nations who together defend European freedom should be as close as possible.

It is known that there are certain difficulties on the Ukrainian-Polish border, queues. I discussed this today with the Polish Prime Minister — we agreed on how to address this issue.

The Head of Government and his Polish colleague will work out all technical details. So today we talked about joint customs control, expanding border crossing points, simplifying postal exchanges between Ukraine and EU countries — I addressed the Prime Minister of Poland with a proposal to reduce the cost of postal shipments. This is important for our people, for everyone who now needs special support.

And another important aspect: Poland has asked us for help in the energy sector, including electricity exports. Of course, we will provide this assistance. To Polish brothers who have been helping us since day one, we will always be there to help.

On our Avenue of Courage in Kyiv today two more plaques appeared — with the names of Mr President of the Republic of Latvia Lēvits and head of Polish government Mateusz Morawiecki.

We will gradually honor all leaders of politics, culture, sports, and business who personally came to Kyiv in the six months from February 24 to August 24 and personally joined the defense of our country.

Today I had the honor of presenting state awards to media workers who were honored on Independence Day this year.

These are reporters, cameramen, producers, editors, hosts... They all made a significant contribution to our victory in the information confrontation with Russia, overcoming Russian propaganda and spreading simple truth about the war, about our independence.

We honored media workers who lost their lives during this war. As of today, there are 38 people — citizens not only of our country but also foreigners who came to Ukraine for the truth and died from Russian weapons.

Our army, intelligence services, Security Service of Ukraine continue active operations on several operational fronts. Successfully continuing.

I would like to address some bloggers again now who sometimes rush to announce results of various active actions by our soldiers at the front line. Please do not rush with announcements, do not complicate your haste the task for our army. Do not report specific details of defensive operations before official representatives of our country say so.

At this time, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have liberated and taken under control over 30 populated areas in Kharkiv region. In part of the villages in the region, verification and securing measures are ongoing — we gradually take new populated areas under control everywhere — we return the Ukrainian flag and protection for all our people.

I ask Ukrainians from liberated territory: please inform representatives of our forces about any information you know regarding crimes committed by occupiers on Ukrainian soil.

Units of the National Police are returning to liberated populated areas in Kharkiv region.

And I would like to thank today our intelligence officers, our special service personnel who once again demonstrated themselves very effectively in driving away the enemy.

Thank you and soldiers of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great — the commander on the Kharkiv front particularly highlighted the heroic actions of boys from this brigade.

Do not forget about other fronts as well. Fierce battles are ongoing in Donbas and in southern parts of our country.

Thank you to marines of the 503rd battalion for their bravery in Donetsk region.

Thank you to intelligence soldiers of the 131st separate reconnaissance battalion who, risking their lives, go first and ensure the fulfillment of tasks by general military units in Kherson region.

Thank you to all our boys and girls, men and women fighting for Ukraine!

I signed new decrees on awarding our soldiers. 293 participants in combat operations have been awarded state awards.

And today I met with Haluk Bayraktar — a person who needs no introduction to Ukrainians. The context of the meeting is clear, as will be its results. We are strengthening our country.

I presented Mr Bayraktar with the Order "For Merit" and rank — this is truly deserved.

Glory to all who help us!

Glory to Ukraine!»