Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about further steps towards Eurointegration of our country, his diplomatic activity, and the situation in the east and south.

"I wish health to all dear Ukrainians!

Step by step we are moving through a significant week, and every day we do everything so that no one has doubts about Ukraine's candidacy. Every day we prove that we are already part of the united European space.

Now deputies from the Verkhovna Rada have dispersed, but I am here. And I wanted to thank them today. We often criticize them, but today they did a great job.

I am grateful to all people's deputies who supported our Eurointegration. I would like to highlight the vote for the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. This convention is often called the Istanbul — after the place where it was signed. It has been resisted in Ukraine for decades. But its main content is simple — a commitment to protect from violence and various forms of discrimination.

I also want to thank deputies who supported the Waste Management Law. This is an important environmental document. We fought for it for three years. The law was repeatedly blocked due to oligarchic influences. And now it has been voted in. Finally. Thank you.

The Anti-Corruption Strategy adopted today is also very important. I hope that the Rada will continue working with such significant results.

Today, I made four appeals. The first — to participants of the Three Seas Summit. This is a powerful regional union in Europe. 12 countries between the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Sea. Before making the appeal, I spoke with President Duda. We coordinated our positions with Andzej.

At the summit, it was decided that Ukraine will acquire such status that will allow us to become a full-fledged participant in the Three Seas Initiative. For us — this is significant economic opportunities, modernization of transport, communications, networks. This is another line of close cooperation between Ukraine and EU countries.

By the way, we have good news from our border with Poland. Within the framework of the "Open Border" project, the throughput capacity of the "Kraczowice — Korczowa" checkpoint has been increased by 50%. This will allow us to significantly increase export-import traffic through the border. Modernization is also expected at other checkpoints on borders with EU countries. And this is felt not only by us. It allows us to do global things. To fight against the food crisis provoked by Russia's blockade of ports.

I talked about it in my appeal to African Union leaders. I emphasized that this crisis — artificial, there would have been no such thing if not for Russia's war against us. And also highlighted that we can ensure agricultural product supply that guarantees Africa's security and Asia's.

Overall, we are expanding our country's opportunities. Like all strong European countries, we need our own policy towards Africa, Latin America, towards countries in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world which were previously outside the proper attention of Ukraine's foreign policy. We are working on Ukraine's subjectivity.

I also addressed participants at the Global Forum in Italy. A very influential gathering. I spoke about how to return all Ukrainian refugees home.

Today, I met with Ben Stiller — a famous actor and UN Goodwill Ambassador who advocates for refugees and displaced persons. Thankful to Ben for his constant attention to the needs of Ukrainians.

I met with President of the Confederation of Italian Industry Carlo Bonomi. We talked about ties between Ukrainian and Italian businesses. Grateful for opening a representation of the confederation in Kyiv.

And briefly, but very importantly, I addressed participants at the International Festival of Creativity in Cannes — the world's largest such event. "Cannes Lions" is a special audience. These are people who know how to capture attention and are very needed by Ukraine right now. The longer the war lasts, the harder it becomes to compete for the attention of hundreds of millions of people around the globe. But I will do everything possible so that attention to Ukraine does not fade away. Called on the world's most creative individuals to be our allies in this. And know that the response in Cannes was very positive.

The coming days of the week will also be busy. We are moving towards a key decision by the European Council, which will be made on Friday.

As I predicted, Russia is nervously perceiving our activity. Again shelling Kharkiv, Odesa, again — attempts at brutal offensive actions in Donbas. This is evil that can only be calmed down on the battlefield. We are defending Lysychansk and Severodonetsk. The entire region is the most difficult one, where the hardest battles take place. But there our strong boys and girls. Occupants receive answers to their actions against us. Thankful to the army and intelligence for ensuring this.

In the evening, I signed another decree on awarding our defenders. 220 participants in combat operations were honored with state awards. 27 of them posthumously.

Eternal glory to all who gave their lives for Ukraine!

Eternal glory to all who defend our country!

Glory to you!

Glory to Ukraine!">