President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, informing about the approval of the 12th package of EU sanctions against the aggressor and about the unveiling of an honorary plaque on Hero Avenue for Howard Buffett, a great friend of our country.

"I wish health to all dear Ukrainians,

Firstly, I want to greet today the soldiers of our military counterintelligence service of the Security Service of Ukraine. They celebrate their professional day. And these are not just brave soldiers — they are exemplary brave and effective soldiers. These are the ones we should all aspire to be like. They fight successfully both on land and in our sea. The occupiers have already felt this — hundreds of our powerful operations. Everyone knows about the destruction of the Kerch Strait Bridge, about the work of our special drones — especially at sea. They effectively expose spies and traitors. And this is only a small part of what military counterintelligence of SBU actually does. Soldiers, I thank you for every display of your strength, for your courage, for all your victories in battle. One word — well done!

I want to thank today our partners in the European Union — there is approval of the 12th package of EU sanctions. It's important that for the first time a ban on Russian diamonds and diamonds appears. New measures against sanction circumvention and against supplying goods and technologies with dual use to Russia… There are new import restrictions from Russia. All this will really help reduce the economic base of war, and we will continue working with partners so that sanctions applied by Europe work globally.

I held several meetings today about our work this winter — both international and some aspects of internal affairs. We are already seeing how from early January we start directing the new year in the interests of protecting international law, in the interest of further supporting Ukraine in this war. There are specific agreements and a concrete schedule of actions on various fronts. This year has shown that the possibilities of bilateral programs for long-term support — and not just from the most powerful countries in the world — is an instrument that not only effectively helps but also sends a clear signal to everyone around the world — a signal of confident support for Ukraine. We will continue working on such programs. And I thank each country, each leader who has already adopted appropriate formats of work.

One more thing.

Regarding non-political but civic support for Ukraine and Ukrainians. Today in Kyiv on Hero Avenue we unveiled an honorary plaque to Howard Buffett — a businessman and philanthropist who sincerely helps our people, our country since the spring of 2022, effectively from the beginning of full-scale invasion. One person helps with hundreds of millions of dollars. This is support for demining, help in treating and rehabilitating soldiers, and construction projects of food factories in Bucha and Lozova — they are designed to provide over ten thousand meals each and will ensure food supply, especially schools and kindergartens in Kyiv and Kharkiv regions. This is a very significant support for the first lady's initiative regarding school feeding. And today I visited the newly built food factory in Bucha together with Olenna Buffett. I thank you for such an example of what one person can do for others. Ukraine will always remember and be grateful to everyone who helps us, who supports our people.

Glory to all whose strength becomes the strength of Ukraine! Glory to all who fight and work for our independence!

Glory to Ukraine!"