President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi spoke about his participation in the Global Summit for Democracy at the invitation of US President Joe Biden, his conversation with the Prime Minister of Italy, and the heroism of Ukrainian defenders in the Bakhmut area.

He spoke about this in his traditional evening address on Wednesday, March 29. 

About the Summit for Democracy

The Ukrainian leader reminded that today's Summit for Democracy, which is the most representative platform for the protection of the system of free nations, was held for the second time.

"In general, we do not have so many representative opportunities in the world to talk specifically about democracy, about the protection of freedom in all its aspects.

And it's good that now we have such an opportunity to join forces in order to find more energy, more prospects for democracy," he noted.

According to Zelenskyi, the position of Ukraine at this Summit was "very specific, as practical as possible", and the leaders' speeches contained "apt words of support for our state".

"Now, thanks to Ukrainian courage, thanks to the leadership of the United States, President Biden, thanks to the Congress of the United States and everyone who works for the consolidation of the world, we have the greatest unity of democratic countries in a long time.

And this unity, as we can see, is enough to fight for freedom.

But in order to win in the confrontation with tyranny, greater unity is needed," the president emphasized.

The Ukrainian leader expressed confidence that thanks to the joint work of Ukraine's allies on all continents, this "victory of the international order based on rules" will be achieved.

About the conversation with Maloney

In a conversation with the head of the Italian government, Giorgia Meloni, the Ukrainian president thanked her "for her principles, for her determination, for the real European strength that can be felt in her words and actions in defense of freedom."

"We discussed both bilateral relations and the general situation in our defense against Russian aggression.

I informed about the situation on the battlefield, about our needs.

Already in the coming months, we can be more active on the front lines.

And we will do everything to ensure that the world's support for our steps is as effective as possible," he said.

About the situation at the front

Commenting on the situation at the front, the Ukrainian president focused on the battles for Bakhmut. 

"Today, we have something to thank our soldiers who are fighting in the Bakhmut direction.

They fight steadily and efficiently.

I thank each and every one who is doing everything to increase the losses of the enemy there!"

- emphasized Zelensky.

The Ukrainian leader expressed his special gratitude to the soldiers of the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Kostya Hordienko, the 77th Separate Aeromobile Brigade and the glorious 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade "Kholodny Yar". 

About upcoming plans

According to the president, preparations are underway for the events scheduled for the second half of this week. 

"Held relevant meetings today.

Ukraine has not lost a single week during the full-scale war - we are constantly adding strength to our state, strength to our defense and security forces, confidence to our movement to victory," he emphasized.

About the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Separately, Volodymyr Zelenskyi noted another step "to strengthen the spiritual independence of our state, to protect our society from the old and cynical Moscow manipulations of religion", referring to the transfer of part of the monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

"Ukraine is the territory of the greatest religious freedom in our part of Europe.

Yes - from the 91st year.

It will always be like this," Zelensky assured.

It will be recalled that the first of the monks of the UOC MP in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Archimandrite Avraamiy (Latish), transferred to the OCU.

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