PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy – An effective model of territorial defense is a reliable rear for the army, and together they form the basis of a strong Ukraine

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 11 February 2022.

To build an effective model of territorial defense and national resistance, there must be full cooperation between the authorities at all levels and an understanding of their area of responsibility. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a meeting of the Presidium of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Kharkiv.

The Head of State stressed that in the issue of national security there is no room for politics, intrigue, speculation and the chaos they can create.

“Every day, and even more so now, there must be full cooperation between the authorities at all levels and a full understanding of their area of responsibility – from RSA and DSA, regional and district councils and other local government bodies to build a very effective model of territorial defense and national resistance. This is a reliable rear for a professional and well-equipped army, which together form the basis of our state, a strong state,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his opening speech at the meeting of the Presidium of the Congress.

The President noted that the organization of national resistance and territorial defense in our country takes place under the auspices and direct leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“All leaders on the ground must clearly understand: there are things that should be implemented exclusively by the military, only by professionals. It is good to help them, but sometimes it is much better not to hinder them, h e said.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak informed the participants of the meeting of the Presidium of the Congress about the results of the meeting of political advisers to the leaders of the Normandy format. He said that during the talks, unconditional support was expressed by all parties for a comprehensive ceasefire in Donbas.

The Head of the Office of the President also noted that the implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On the Fundamentals of National Resistance” is an extremely important and topical issue. “I think we all already understand that only a strong army and security system at different levels will ensure the overall security of our country,” he said.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi told members of the Presidium of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities about the territorial defense management system, which consists of the command, 4 regional offices, 29 brigades and 150 battalions. In addition, there are still voluntary formations of territorial communities.

“This is a force that can restrain the enemy and prevent them from thinking about setting foot on our land. After all, the price for it will be huge. The purpose of all this is to resist in every city, every village, on every street and in every house,” Valerii Zaluzhnyi stressed.

For his part, Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the heads of regional state administrations and local authorities in the regions where territorial defense units are being recruited on schedule. At the same time, the Head of State appealed to the leadership of Kyiv and the Kyiv region, Mariupol, Odesa, Rivne, where the worst situation is, so that everything necessary is done in the coming weeks.

The President also called on Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine Oleksandr Tkachenko to cooperate with all heads of regional state administrations, mayors and district heads so that the information policy is the same everywhere in the country. “So that people understand exactly what’s what, understand the current state of preparation in a particular area,” he said.