President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about a new tradition – honoring Heroes of Ukraine – and an important international conversation with UN Secretary-General Guterres.

"I wish good health to all Ukrainians,

A brief summary of this day.

First. We continue our new tradition – the tradition of honoring Heroes of Ukraine. Every person who has been awarded this title must receive an apartment from the state. We started this tradition on Ukrainian Armed Forces Day, and we continued it today. I had the honor to present "Golden Stars" – medals with which soldiers were posthumously honored – to the families of our heroes. I also handed over certificates for apartments – another 20 families of our heroes received housing. Soldiers, sailors, sergeants, officers. They will receive their share as well – every Hero of Ukraine. In total, since the beginning of the full-scale war and up until today, 362 people have been awarded this title. These are soldiers and members of the Armed Forces, National Guard, National Police, SBU, and other elements of Defense and Security forces.

Secondly, today I held a fairly long and substantive meeting with government officials regarding our work with the European Union to secure continued financial support for Ukraine at an adequate level for the next four years. The Prime Minister, First Vice-Premier Minister, ministers were present. We discussed details and specific decisions that we need. We are working as actively as possible to ensure stability in our state and resilience across all its institutions, systems, and functions. And this will be.

I am grateful to everyone who helps. I am grateful to everyone who makes the protection of our national interests not only just but also meticulously detailed.

An important international conversation – with UN Secretary-General Guterres. The topic was about security, maritime security in the Black Sea, especially regarding expanding this security and thus strengthening global food security. And approaching the moment when we can restore safety to all our people – when we will be able to end Russian aggression. End it honorably. I invited a representative of the United Nations Organization to a new meeting with the implementation team of the Peace Formula. This is a meeting that we are currently preparing. It will already be the fourth one. And gradually, step by step, we are filling the content of each of the ten points of the Peace Formula with the consent of the world majority.

One more thing. Now, in the pre-Christmas time, everyone in our country should remember that this is a time for focus, a time to work, and a time to be able to relax later. Kharkiv region and Luhansk region, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, Kherson region and every other region where the fate of the state is being decided right now – by our soldiers, by all our people. Maximum attention – defense. Maximum effort – for the sake of the country. Maximum energy – so that Ukraine can achieve its goals. I thank everyone who lives this way. Who fights and works for Ukraine.

Today there was a separate report from HUR [Ukrainian Security Service]. The enemy's plans, work by Russian "defense industry" – there are signals of their slowdown. We will help them slow down even more.

Believe in our strength! And add strength to Ukraine every day.

Glory to Ukraine!"