I Invite You to Build People-to-People Connections That Will Last Forever – Speech by the President of Ukraine at the Meeting of the US National Governors Association

12 July 2024 – 23:26

Governor Cox, 

Esteemed Governors and all present here,

First of all thank you very much for the invitation and thank you to all who really cares about protecting life.

These days, I have been in Washington. I visited the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. I was in the United States Congress – speaking with representatives of both parties, in both chambers. I was at the White House and the NATO Summit – meeting with President Biden. At each of these meetings, I thanked America, all our friends in America, and all Americans who support Ukraine, our people, our freedom, our independence in this terrible war started by Russia. Thank you so much for your support! Thank you!

Unfortunately, there are different wars in the world, but this is a war where it is absolutely clear what is good and what boundaries evil crosses. This is one of the most transparent battles between good and evil of our time. It is clear that Ukraine has done nothing wrong before God and people, and all the pain our country suffers – is only the result of Russia’s criminal actions and sick desires, only its unprovoked and unjust aggression. So, it is so valuable that so many people and countries have united to help us – to save our freedom and, thus, the common human understanding that evil must always lose. What else would our world rely on if evil did not lose and if good people did not unite in battles against what threatens any life and any values? Of course, everyone does what they must. I have said many times that we do not ask the United States and other partners to fight for us. We do not ask for your boots on the ground. The only thing we ask for is sufficient support – air defense systems for our cities, weapons for our men and women on the front line, support in protecting normal life and rebuilding. This is all we need to withstand and drive Russia from our land and to send a strong signal to all other potential aggressors which are watching. And we truly receive such support. I am grateful for this. Thank you again. We receive it from American friends, from dozens of countries – and America’s leadership is indeed felt. We receive it from many ordinary people, communities, and companies from different parts of the world – and everyone who does not remain indifferent truly protects life. As it has been said, “The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to their labor.”

Today, I especially want to personally thank you for your support – the state of Utah, other states, many American hearts, and many American communities – all those who do not want and will not allow evil to prevail.

Dear friends,

Many of you have probably heard or seen in the media about the recent Russian missile strike on a children’s hospital. Several days ago. A direct hit on one of the hospital buildings – and this could not have been just a coincidence. Children who, with the help of doctors, are trying to overcome terrible diseases such as cancer and heart diseases – found themselves on the street, amidst ruins, and some were trapped under the debris. The hospital “Okhmatdyt,” one of the best children’s hospitals not only in Ukraine but in all of Europe, was significantly damaged. We are now working to quickly restore its operations and ensure that children can be treated in other hospitals – cancer does not wait for the Russians to stop bombing our cities, and children need treatment now. Children also need to go to school. Their parents need to feel at least basic safety – to be able to live, work, and provide for their families. Just think about the numbers – Russia destroyed nearly one hundred and sixty thousands of civilian objects, just one hundred and thirty thousand homes, three thousand schools, seven hundred medical, and one hundred and seventy churches. Who are they? All of this presents us with a huge range of tasks, and many of them will be resolved within communities, very close to the ground. And that is why we so deeply appreciate when our friends from around the world come to Ukraine to see everything for themselves, speak the truth about what they have witnessed, help rebuild all that is necessary for a normal life, and personally tell everyone who has not seen such a war that good must always triumph in war. To make this happen – to ensure the true victory of good – your voice, each governor, each community leader, all pure hearts, is crucial. I invite all of you to visit Ukraine – to see our people, our struggle. I am proud of our people and what Ukrainians are achieving now. Believe me, together we can achieve much more for all of us – for our countries, for our communities, for our people. I invite you to build people-to-people connections that will last forever. We already see Utah’s contribution to rebuilding our country – you have helped thousands of people. And such help can be help for millions of people, and for the cause of good in general, which rewards everyone – regardless of where they live. Because we all share the same values and we do not want war to disrupt life anywhere.

Thank you for your support!

I wish you fruitful work, productive discussions at these meetings, and I hope that together – Ukrainians and Americans – we will prevail.

God bless America and Americans. 

Слава Україні!

We covered the cost above the jump. Here is the reason:

This is what we’re fighting for
🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/aCeErBAd59

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) July 12, 2024

Estonia:

Thank you, Estonia!
United we stand 🇺🇦🇪🇪💪 https://t.co/YvPELKnKdu

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) July 12, 2024

The International Fund for Ukraine:

The International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) has entered into an agreement for the purchase of artillery ammunition for Ukraine worth £300 million.

The package will include up to 120,000 rounds of newly produced 152 mm artillery ammunition.

The IFU was founded by nine countries:… pic.twitter.com/QiQgxoInRb

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) July 12, 2024

The International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) has entered into an agreement for the purchase of artillery ammunition for Ukraine worth £300 million.

The package will include up to 120,000 rounds of newly produced 152 mm artillery ammunition.

The IFU was founded by nine countries: the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, Denmark, Iceland, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden.

We are grateful to our partners for their unwavering support!
Together, we are stronger.

Australia:

The Australian government has announced its largest single military assistance package to Ukraine, worth nearly $250 million.

This package includes air defense missiles, air-to-ground and anti-tank weapons, artillery, mortar, cannon, and small arms ammunition, etc.
We are… pic.twitter.com/4ewyFh0iwA

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) July 12, 2024

The Australian government has announced its largest single military assistance package to Ukraine, worth nearly $250 million.

This package includes air defense missiles, air-to-ground and anti-tank weapons, artillery, mortar, cannon, and small arms ammunition, etc.
We are grateful to our Australian partners for this important decision.
The power of unity brings victory closer!
🇺🇦🤝🇦🇺
@DefenceAust

Denmark:

“I do not accept the premise of ‘escalation’ because there is only one part that is responsible for everything that is going on in Ukraine, and that’s Russia. They could end this war today, they could end it immediately. And Ukraine has the right to protect itself, but it also… pic.twitter.com/ndjSZhaHNs

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) July 12, 2024

“I do not accept the premise of ‘escalation’ because there is only one part that is responsible for everything that is going on in Ukraine, and that’s Russia. They could end this war today, they could end it immediately. And Ukraine has the right to protect itself, but it also has the obligation to protect itself. And the same goes for the rest of Europe. We have to protect our continent, our values, and all our people. Therefore, we have to not only to defend Ukraine, but also to defeat the Russians.” – Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen.

@MettePrime
also called to give all Denmark’s air defense systems to Ukraine, where they are most needed today.

Thank you, Denmark! 🇩🇰🇺🇦 Thank you, friends!

📹: Radio Svoboda

Geraschenko tagged the wrong account. While the video is of the real Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, the @MettePrine account is a parody.

The US:

New Jersey: Wait, what?

From the Department of Justice:

New Jersey Man Charged with Soliciting Destruction of Energy Facilities

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Note: View the criminal complaint here.

Andrew Takhistov, 18, of East Brunswick, New Jersey, was arrested yesterday and made his initial appearance in court today for allegedly soliciting another individual to destroy energy facilities.

“Andrew Takhistov was allegedly on his way to Ukraine to join the Russian Volunteer Corps when we arrested him on charges of recruiting an individual to destroy an electrical substation here in the United States in order to advance his white supremacist ideology,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “I am grateful to the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force for their exceptional work disrupting this dangerous plot.”

“This complaint alleges that the defendant’s posts referenced Adolf Hitler, encouraged violence against Black and Jewish communities, praised mass shooters, and discussed causing death and destruction on a large scale,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “The defendant was allegedly enroute to join the Russian Volunteer Corps, which he described as specializing in assassinations, attacks on power grids, and other infrastructure sabotage, so that he could act on his violent plans. We will not tolerate these kinds of alleged terroristic threats, and working with our partners, we will always be ready to root out and bring to justice anyone who attempts to carry out these acts.”

According to court documents, in January, Takhistov began communicating on a social messaging platform with an individual who, unbeknownst to Takhistov, was an undercover law enforcement employee. Takhistov had previously posted on the messaging platform (often posting in racially/ethnically motivated extremist [RMVE]-aligned channels), requesting advice about weapons, disseminating manuals on how to construct homemade weapons, and expressing interest in traveling overseas to engage in paramilitary-style training. Throughout these posts, Takhistov referenced Adolf Hitler, encouraged violence against various ethnic and religious communities (including Black and Jewish individuals), and praised mass shooters.

Throughout Takhistov’s communications with the undercover employee, Takhistov repeatedly referred to his RMVE ideology and his desire to advance that ideology through violent means. In May, Takhistov informed the undercover employee that he was planning to travel to Ukraine in July to join the Russian Volunteer Corps, explaining that he chose this organization because it was openly National Socialist and, more importantly, specialized in assassinations, attacks on power grids and other infrastructure sabotage.

Takhistov discussed infrastructure sabotage, specifically how to damage an electrical substation using Mylar balloons or Molotov cocktails, which Takhistov explained how to make. Takhistov told the undercover employee that, while Takhistov was in the Ukraine, the undercover employee needed to carry out at least one event of serious activism.

On two occasions in June and July, at Takhistov’s direction, Takhistov and the undercover employee drove to two different electrical substations in North Brunswick and New Brunswick, New Jersey. During these visits, Takhistov instructed the undercover employee on numerous aspects of how to conduct an attack on an electrical substation.

On July 5, during one of these meetings, Takhistov directed the undercover employee to take several photographs of the electrical substations so that Takhistov could send them to his Russian friend for additional advice on how to best sabotage the stations.

Takhistov was arrested Wednesday afternoon at Newark Liberty International Airport where he was planning to travel to Paris on his way to Ukraine.

Takhistov is charged with one count of soliciting another individual to engage in criminal conduct that involved destroying a public service enterprise group circuit breaker and substation. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $125,000 fine.

The FBI is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Vera Varshavsky for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorney James Donnelly of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated July 11, 2024

Two items out of DC. The first is that Secretary Austin had a call with his Russian counterpart. Here’s the details from the transcript of the DOD’s press briefing from earlier today:

Separately this morning, Secretary Austin also spoke by phone with Russian Minister of Defense, Andrey Belousov.

During the call, the Secretary emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. The last time Secretary Austin spoke with his Russian counterpart was on June 25, 2024, and later today, a brief readout of the call will be posted to defense.gov.

Q: And then on the call with the Russian counterpart with Minister Belousov, um, this is now two calls in two and a half weeks. Was this — was this one also initiated by Secretary Austin? And — and it certainly seems like these are more common than they’ve been over the course of two and a half years — of the last two and a half years. Is — is this to be expected to continue? Will there be a more regular pace of — of discussions here between the two?

MS. SINGH: This call was initiated by the Russian minister of Defense. In terms of future calls, of course, nothing to announce, but as the secretary has said and what I also mentioned at the top is that maintaining lines of communication is incredibly important right now. If there are future calls, we’d read those out as well.

Q: Was there any specific reason given about —

MS. SINGH: Yeah, I just don’t have any more to provide at this time.

Q: Thanks, Sabrina. Uh, President Zelenskyy has insisted that lifting all restrictions, so Ukraine can strike military targets within Russia would be a quote “game changer” and that Ukraine needs to hit those targets enabled to win. What’s the Pentagon’s assessment of that?

MS. SINGH: I think the president spoke to this very directly yesterday at his press conference. Our policy hasn’t changed. We do allow those cross border strikes when Russia is attacking from the other side of the border. And as the war has changed, we have changed. Our policies have adapted. And you’ve seen that play out in Kharkiv and it could expand into other areas.

But right now we have not authorized the use of ATACMS for deep strike capabilities within Russia. I have to remind you, they have other long-range capabilities that are not provided by the United States, but in terms of our policy that has not changed.

Q: So — so what’s this coming from then? Because throughout the week at the NATO summit, Zelenskyy was pretty adamant that this is a game changer, uh, so — so is that just not true?

MS. SINGH: Look, of course, you’re going to advocate on behalf of your country. You know, we don’t take any issue with that. Our policy still remains the same. We believe that Ukraine continues to be successful in the battlefield. With our policy in place, we’ve been able to see them hold and strengthen their lines around Kharkiv.

Could our policy — could they be allowed to use it into other areas? We’re always adapting. And as the war has changed, our policy has changed. But of course, we are always mindful of escalation and that’s something, that is the reason why we have the policy the way it is. Constantine?

Politico has the details regarding the Ukrainian request to have the restrictions on the use of US supplied munitions lifted or, at least, revised:

FIRST IN NATSEC DAILY — REQUEST REJECTED: Ukrainian leaders walked away frustrated after Biden waved off their latest request to lift restrictions on the use of U.S. weapons to strike inside Russia, people familiar with the conversation told our own ALEX WARD and Matt.

Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY brought up the issue toward the end of the bilateral discussion on Thursday as the NATO summit came to a close, leading Biden to say both sides should keep talking, according to three people familiar. That didn’t close the door to eventually lifting the restrictions, but it was still far from a “yes,” the people said.

Zelenskyy and ANDRIY YERMAK, his chief of staff, were extremely disappointed after the conversation, a person familiar with the matter said.

“The feeling is always the same: They will lift restrictions eventually, but some people have to die first. It seems like destroying a children’s hospital is not enough,” said the person, who like others was granted anonymity to discuss the private meeting.

Biden addressed how he responded to Zelenskyy during his high-profile news conference Thursday night: “If he had the capacity to strike Moscow, strike the Kremlin, would that make sense? It wouldn’t,” Biden said, even though the U.S. has not transferred any weapons to Ukraine that put the Russian capital in range.

For want of a nail!

It is important to keep in mind that Biden’s decisions are being made within the reality of Russia’s ultimate intentions for Ukraine:

Medvedev: Even if Ukraine surrenders the territories we claim and renounces NATO aspirations in exchange for a peace deal, sooner or later we would still have to put the nail into the coffin of Ukrainian statehood and return the rest of the country’s lands “into the bosom of…

— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) July 10, 2024

Medvedev: Even if Ukraine surrenders the territories we claim and renounces NATO aspirations in exchange for a peace deal, sooner or later we would still have to put the nail into the coffin of Ukrainian statehood and return the rest of the country’s lands “into the bosom of Russia.”
Cc: Western governments hoping for a diplomatic solution.

https://t.me/medvedev_telegram/515

Kyiv:

A memorial service was held under the damaged buildings of the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv.

The Kyiv Classic Orchestra, led by chief conductor Herman Makarenko, performed the requiem.

📹: Ian Dobronosov / Instagram pic.twitter.com/Q1AKQKT1U0

— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) July 12, 2024

Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast:

View of Toretsk, Donetsk region, captured by drone operators from the 32nd Mechanized Brigade. pic.twitter.com/ufwbnXeUcc

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) July 12, 2024

Russian occupied Crimea:

/2. Earlier, on the satellite imagery, Russian S-300 air defense system was visible near the geolocated targeted area in Mariupolhttps://t.co/2ToSHJQ7ov pic.twitter.com/zmghkIaAlP

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) July 12, 2024

Kherson Oblast:

A video appeared, reportedly from Kherson region. Local fishermen threw a fish at a Russian drone and almost took it down. pic.twitter.com/bdhDxjy8YK

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) July 12, 2024

Moscow:

Russia once again telegraphs what’s on it’s targeting deck.

If you ever watch Russian evening news, you’d be shocked that all they talk about is Ukraine. Now, Zakharova casually talks about destroying Kyiv and Kaniv dams, a year after Russia blew up Kakhovka dam. Intimidation and propaganda are all the Russian media can do. pic.twitter.com/6cwKFXtXwj

— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) July 12, 2024

Kolomensky, Moscow Oblast:

A Russian passenger Sukhoi Superjet-100 of Gazpromavia airlines crashed in the Kolomensky district of the Moscow region.

According to Russian media, it was a test flight and there were three crew members on board. pic.twitter.com/FtEYSBhkWu

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) July 12, 2024

/3. Russian media -“The Superjet crashed three hours after maintenance. This was its first flight after repair. Plane was operational since 2015.”

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) July 12, 2024

/5. The moment of the crash of the Russian passenger aircraft Sukhoi Superjet 100 today near Moscow pic.twitter.com/ZsOiDKXMfU

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) July 12, 2024

That’s enough for tonight.

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