The main task is the defense of our state: Zelensky to local and regional authorities

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the defense of the Ukrainian state is currently a priority for all authorities. He said this in a speech  at a meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, according to a UNN correspondent.

"The life of the state, the life of any community, the life of every person is the same life of Ukraine - the life that we must protect and must protect from Russian aggression. And if someone in any position, either in the state or in local government, for some reason believes that the war is "somewhere else" and they can supposedly do anything else - let's say, a priority issue - then this is a big mistake that needs to be corrected," Zelensky said.

Addressing the communities, he  emphasized that the main task is the defense of the state.

"While dealing with the war and the Europeanization, so to speak, of our state, I did not pay much attention to this and will pay a lot of attention to it. I ask you not to allow me to spend time on such activities. I would like to see everything done locally for the sake of our victory, from the allocation of funds to other issues that may later be embarrassing to the public. The main task is the defense of our state," Zelensky said.

Addendum

Kyiv City Council adopted the capital's budget for the upcoming year 2024. UAH 1 billion is preliminarily allocated to help the Armed Forces.

Kyiv City Council member and military servicewoman Alina Mikhailova said that a total of UAH 771 million is allocated for targeted programs to support military personnel ("Support for Kyivans - Defenders", "Defender of Kyiv").

"This is less than 1% of Kyiv's budget expenditures. And yes, there is less money for the Kyiv Defender program than for tourism," she said.