President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about the prospects for weapons production together with the United States and new defense packages for our soldiers.

"I wish good health to all Ukrainians,

Today I held a Security Council meeting — with detailed reports from the Minister of Defense — regarding next year's security provisions. Regarding each aspect and every parameter — ammunition, weapons, equipment, supplies. What is currently in short supply. And what needs to be increased based on our active plans. The minister of strategic industries reported on our own weapon production and ammunition manufacturing — the goal of increasing production is being achieved. This is important. I am grateful to all workers and employees of our defense industry complex, as well as all partners who are helping us. We thoroughly discussed and are implementing Ukraine's missile program, which was initiated in 21st year, and everyone can see that its results are becoming increasingly long-range, pleasant for Ukraine and exactly unpleasant for the enemy, as it should be. There will be even more results.

By the way, we are actively moving forward with the United States regarding joint weapons production. During my visit to Washington, we agreed with President Biden on specific things that we can do together. This will definitely strengthen both Americans and Ukrainians, as well as our partners. Joint production always strengthens. These days during meetings involving Andriy Yermak and our government team, we discussed specifics. In December this year, a special conference of Ukrainian and American industry, officials, and other state actors — all those who organize the defense of our country — will take place. We are preparing quite an important event to develop from the Defense Industry Forum that took place in September. Now — a forum in Washington and corresponding work on armament both in Ukraine and in America. I thank the United States — President Biden, his team, Congress — both parties who support us. And also I want to particularly highlight American defense companies and partners in Europe — all those who actually fill the content of freedom protection. At this time, we must all be as productive as possible so that our children's and grandchildren's lives are not stolen by war.

Today there is also good news about defense packages for our soldiers — Finland has made a decision on a new package. Thank you for this. We have already received 20 support packages from Finland alone. All of them strengthen us and the entire eastern flank of Europe as well. Because when Ukraine is strong and independent, all of Europe can feel protected from Russian aggression.

Important reports were given at today's Security Council meeting regarding the situation on specific front lines: Donetsk, Kharkiv region, southern directions. The Chief Commander and Generals Syrskyi, Tarnavskyy, Moskalov, Sodol reported. I thank every one of our soldiers!

Today I gave a special assignment to the Ministry of Defense and General Staff regarding responding to Kinzhal carriers that stop our country for hours through air alerts. Our level of PVO and overall readiness to missile threats allows us to somewhat modernize the response — without unnecessary stops in the country. This is important for millions of our people. I expect appropriate proposals.

And one more thing.

I started today with a special meeting with the Minister of Finance and officials responsible for the education sector. Many sensitive issues, and millions of Ukrainian students are waiting for answers to them. This includes scholarships and certain details on innovations in higher education. We also discussed everything needed to strengthen professional technical education in Ukraine. All this is very specific. Exactly as it should be on Students' Day. Of course, most of what we talked about will properly be presented by the Minister of Education. Good things. And we guarantee scholarships for students — and are looking for ways to increase them. For the reconstruction of universities damaged or destroyed by Russian strikes, we will find resources. I was today at one of Ukraine's universities — Mariupol State University. It is currently relocated to Kyiv and it operates there. And importantly, it preserves faith in Ukraine, its people, and that Ukraine will be free — all of Ukraine. I talked with students. Thank you for your sincerity and energy. I wish all our Ukrainian students the best so that they can realize themselves in Ukraine, for Ukraine, absolutely honorably, contemporarily, and to their own and the country's benefit.

To bring victory closer in this war, guarantee security, provide as much protection to our people and our state — I thank everyone who fights and works for exactly that. For our people. For our independence.

Glory to Ukraine!"