President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, informing about negotiations regarding the supply of modern tanks and several powerful decisions by Western partners to strengthen our defense.

"I wish health, dear Ukrainians!

A few hours ago, I held another meeting of the General Staff. New participants were invited to the meeting. In particular, Acting Minister of Internal Affairs and Head of the National Police of Ukraine Igor Klimenko. He is overseeing everything that depends on the MVS system in matters of our defense and security.

Also today's meeting of the General Staff included leaders of several regional military administrations — they reported on the implementation of the law on national resistance. These are Volyn, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa oblast military administrations.

I think it's clear why exactly this geography. Each element of our defense, including territorial defense, must be properly coordinated.

Of course, the Chief Commander reported at the General Staff meeting as well as the commander of the hottest operational direction on the front — "Khortytsia".

We are taking appropriate steps to strengthen our units in the battle for Donbas.

By the way, today I am congratulating border guards from Luhansk and Kramatorsk battalions who together with other defenders of the territory fight on the Donetsk front, defending Bakhmut. Thank you, boys, for your steadfastness and ability to inflict such losses on the enemy that gradually deprive them of any sense in attacking!

Thank you also to the "Dover" special unit of the State Border Service of Ukraine for effectively holding back the enemy!

Today, our country's key task, as well as that of all of us and our partners — is every day to strengthen in the state-terrorist the feeling that they will not achieve anything in Ukraine. No matter how much time they have spent on war. No matter what forces they have wasted or how many of their people they threw into battle.

The fulfillment of this task consists of different elements — both defensive and political. But one of the most important elements is tanks. Modern Western tanks, for which we are negotiating with partners.

And I thank everyone who has already adopted relevant decisions. I thank Mr President of the European Council Charles Michel, who was in Kyiv today and who very clearly called on Europe to adopt a decision on tanks.

And an appropriate coalition of partners is indeed formed, and now we are waiting for a decision from one European capital that will activate prepared chains of cooperation regarding tanks.

I believe the strength of German leadership will remain unchanged.

Today, speaking in the Verkhovna Rada, Charles Michel once again absolutely clearly confirmed that there is no alternative to a common future for Ukraine and the European Union.

"Without an independent and secure Ukraine, there can be no independent and secure Europe. Without a free Ukraine, there can be no free Europe. We have a shared future." That's what Mr President of the European Council said, and this can be our motto for our relations, integration processes in this year.

We are preparing another summit between Ukraine — EU, which is planned already at the beginning of February. We are also preparing to start negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union — all preconditions are there for these talks to start this year.

I held a meeting today with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. There is an important agreement — it is already being implemented: missions of the IAEA will be sent to our nuclear power plants. To all of them. And this significantly adds security to our nuclear generation. We separately discussed the situation around Zaporizhzhia NPP and steps that can return radiation safety to everyone, which was violated by Russia.

I spoke with President of the United Arab Emirates. I noted the level of cooperation achieved, thanked for support in the UN. I informed Mr President about the possibilities opened up by the implementation of our peace formula and about the components of this formula that we can implement together. And I thank you for supporting these efforts of Ukraine.

And today we have several powerful decisions from partners to strengthen our defense, primarily in artillery.

Thank you Estonia for another and the largest package of military aid from this country. For howitzers and ammunition.

Thank you Sweden for a new military package. For NLAW, "Archer" and BMPs.

I thank Denmark for adopting a decision on "Caesars" for our soldiers. This will seriously strengthen our army.

I thank Lithuania for a new military package. For anti-aircraft guns, ammunition, and helicopters.

And we are preparing for tomorrow's "Ramstein" — expecting strong decisions. Expecting a powerful package of military support from the United States.

Thank you all who defend freedom with us!

Glory to all our soldiers who show steadfastness and give Ukraine necessary results!

Glory to everyone and every woman working for victory!

And I congratulate those celebrating Epiphany, the Baptism of Christ today.

May the strength of our faith hasten the cleansing of our land from Russian evil.

Glory to Ukraine!