"Ukrainians! Ukrainian women!"

Our defenders, defender women!

A week ago our country received the status of candidate for membership in the European Union, and today another step has been taken on the path to membership. A very practical step. The "transport visa-free" agreement was signed. This is an agreement that removes barriers for Ukrainian carriers. No more waiting for permits for freight transportation. And this will allow a significant increase in the export of Ukrainian goods by road.

This is exactly what we are doing in our country now — not losing any week in relations with the European Union. We will constantly, despite this war, despite all difficulties, do what brings us closer to full membership in the EU.

By the way, yesterday I held a special meeting — a large meeting, there were 28 participants representing both the executive and legislative and judicial branches of power. The country will have an appropriate document — a clear action plan that any citizen and any woman in Ukraine can check: what needs to be done by state institutions so that we fulfill our part of the work on the path to the EU. This document will be presented as early as July 1.

Today morning I participated in a NATO summit meeting. This is a special summit. A transformation summit. The alliance is changing its strategy in response to Russia's aggressive anti-European policy and Russian war against our country. It is obvious that ensuring security in Europe under these conditions is impossible without our country. And we will do everything so that this obviousness is transformed into concrete decisions — for Ukraine, for the alliance. We need clear security guarantees — they will be ours, and today I appealed to NATO members with a call to find a format of decision-making that would provide full Ukrainian participation in our common European security architecture. Called on NATO countries to speed up the supply of anti-missile defense systems to Ukraine and significantly increase pressure on the state terrorist.

Just today's strike by Russia on the city of Mykolaiv (immediately 10 rockets, all — at civilian objects) proves absolutely for everyone in the world that the pressure on Russia is not enough. One of these missiles, a supersonic anti-ship missile "Onyx", destroyed an ordinary five-story building. The clearance of debris lasted throughout the day. As of now, five deaths are known. Also strikes on Ochakiv, on Dnipro, continued Russian shelling in Kharkiv region, in Sumy region, also in Donbas. Lisichansk, Avdiivka, communities on the Bakhmut direction — the situation there remains extremely difficult, very heavy. We are doing everything to ensure modern artillery systems for our military so that they can properly respond to the occupiers.

Russia has finally released from Syria statements about allegedly recognizing occupation structures in Donbas as allegedly states. This is a worthless story. And in this case there will be no more relations between Ukraine and Syria, while sanctions pressure on Syria will only increase.

For the first time since independence today President of Indonesia visited Kyiv — a very influential country that can suffer greatly from the food crisis provoked by Russia. So these were important talks that open for Ukraine yet another strategic direction in relations with Asia.

Also, Ukraine was visited by one of the world's most famous businessmen Richard Branson. He is more than just an entrepreneur. He is a visionary, a person who works for progress and better technologies for all humanity. His visit to Ukraine now — he was in Hostomel where he discussed, among other things, the possibilities of airport reconstruction and construction of our "Mriya", the largest aircraft in the world — this is a very powerful signal to everyone in the world that Ukraine will definitely stand up in this war. And I am grateful to Mr Branson for his readiness to join post-war recovery of our country.

And one more optimistic and very important news: 144 Ukrainian soldiers were returned home from Russian captivity. 59 National Guard fighters, 30 — military-maritime forces; 28 — army, 17 border guards, 9 territorial defense members, one police officer. The oldest of the released is 65 years old, the youngest is 19. In particular, 95 defenders of "Azovstal" are returning home. I am grateful to the Main Intelligence Directorate and everyone who worked on this result. But about it later. We will do everything to bring every Ukrainian man and woman back home. Thank you once again.

Glory to Ukraine!"