There are many discussions in Ukraine today about what the economic policy of the state should be both during the war and when we restore peace. We have to get used to the fact that there can be only two parts of society - those who defend our independence and those who work in a way to ensure that defense. And this is not a question of one or another economic doctrine, not a question of one or another political position.
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about this in his address.
«Of course, I understand that in some of our regions now, any economic activity - official or nonofficial - is a matter of mere survival. But if we talk about the normal, stable and strong life of society, the work of the state, our defense, we must understand: there are those who serve, and there are those who provide with their work those who serve», Zelenskyy stressed.
He noted that official employment, the payment of taxes, the maximum expansion of economic opportunities in our country on legal grounds and complete modernization of state institutions are important.
«Everyone who works in Ukrainian politics, who influences the public debate, should realize that there will be no more shadow in the country», Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy said that he had talked with French President Emmanuel Macron about defense support and Ukraine's European perspective. The issues of security guarantees for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe were also touched upon.
Zelenskyy discussed the path of countries to the European Union with the Prime Minister of Montenegro.
«Most Europeans support Ukraine's integration. And if Europeans support it, politicians who are still skeptical in some countries should not oppose themselves to the people, society and the very course of European history», Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President also addressed the participants of the ministerial meeting of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They severed ties with russia, but substantial decisions are also needed - concrete pressure on russia for what it is doing, including the crisis it has provoked in the world food market.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also held a meeting with government officials on the economy, business and jobs.
«We discussed actions at three levels - what needs to be done right now, what we can do in the near future, no matter how difficult it is, and what we will definitely do after the war», the President said.
The first is a program of special grants to support small and medium-sized businesses. What can already provide new jobs and a new tax base.
The second is the development of our security sector in all its aspects. Both now and in the future. It is also a question of jobs, a question of professionalism and technologies. The security sector in Ukraine must become completely different from what it has been all these 30 years. From the state border to every street, to every school, to every infrastructure object - security must be 100% ensured.
And the third aspect is industrial recovery and attracting investment to the state. Localization, industrial parks, support of the state order, attraction of modern technologies to Ukraine. Relevant state programs are being prepared.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked communication workers, who resumed television broadcasting in Kharkiv after the morning shelling literally within a day.
The frontline situation for the day, as the President noted, has not changed significantly. Severodonetsk, Lysychansk and other cities in Donbas, which the occupiers now consider key targets, are holding on. We have a certain positive in the Zaporizhzhia region, where we manage to thwart the plans of the occupiers. We are gradually moving forward in the Kharkiv region, liberating our land. We are keeping defense in the Mykolaiv direction.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree imposing sanctions on russian President Vladimir Putin.