President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about his working visit to Odessa and a fruitful meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

"I wish health to all dear Ukrainians,

Today is a busy day in our city of Odessa.

The visit by Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, and his team. Our discussions. There are decisions regarding Patriot missiles - the Netherlands will provide additional rockets. Today we also discussed with Mark other joint steps for Ukraine's defense.

Special attention – to the protection of Odessa, all our south, from Danube ports to Great Odessa ports. We talked about protecting our export corridors in the Black Sea. The world recognizes Ukraine’s global role as a guarantor of food security and clearly supports us in preserving and strengthening this importance.

Ukraine's strength directly affects social stability in many countries.

Today we were at the Odessa port. Military and government officials gave reports on our integration with the world market and the protection of Ukraine’s waters in the Black Sea. I chaired a meeting about the situation in the Odessa region with law enforcement leaders, representatives of local authorities, and military leadership. Key – this is, of course, preparing for winter, protecting energy infrastructure, restoring what was destroyed by Russian strikes. I am grateful to everyone working to protect our people. To get through the winter and give a powerful response to Russia's attacks on Odessa and the Odessa region, in cities across Ukraine - this is now the focus of all efforts within the system of government and our diplomats. There will be more protection for our country.

I had the honor today to visit wounded soldiers who are recovering. Together with Mark we visited them, talked. And I honored military personnel and doctors helping them with state awards.

Met with cadets at the Military Academy in Odessa. Good conversation. Thank you, boys, for your attention, for your questions. Boys, girls – well done.

Today from Odessa I addressed participants of the Joint Expeditionary Forces meeting - this is a regional cooperation format in Northern Europe. United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway. The meeting took place on the Swedish island of Gotland, and it's a significant signal, very symbolic location for leaders to discuss European security and long-term reliable protection of our countries, our people. If you look at the map, you can immediately understand why Russian state propagandists called for capturing this island. Gotland – control over the entire region. And this region Russia is also trying to destabilize. When I addressed the Swedish parliament in 2022, at the beginning of full-scale war, I spoke exactly about this - how important it is to be strong across Europe, in all parts of the continent, in every such strategic point as Gotland, which determines our common security. And by the way, I am grateful for today's summary statement from Joint Expeditionary Forces leaders. A strong statement. Support for Ukraine. In particular, support on the path to NATO and a clear condemnation of Russian aggression. And readiness to help us as needed to win the war. Thank you!

And a few more things.

Today we signed an Agreement with Moldova regarding joint control at the railway border crossing point "Kuchurgan - Novoselitsa". This is another route for our exports, additional transport corridor that will definitely strengthen our entire region. Thank you to Moldova!

And I want to thank today our soldiers – especially those who protect our skies. In particular in the south of the country. Our anti-aircraft units. 13th Separate Machine Gun Battalion, 5th Brigade of National Guard and 14th Radio-Technical Brigade. Thank you, soldiers!

Glory to all who fight for Ukraine! Thanks to everyone who helps us! And thank you, Mark, for your visit and discussions today, for all the support!

And I thank you, Odessa! We will definitely restore everything that Russia destroyed.

Glory to Ukraine!"