1-8: Today marks the beginning of a new school year, and despite all the enemy’s attempts to disrupt the school year, our children have begun their studies. It is very important that children have started school. It is very important that so much has been prepared. I congratulate our first-graders, all schoolchildren, parents, and our entire country on September 1.

At one of the schools in the Kyiv region, which was rebuilt after the Russians completely destroyed it in 2022, I spoke with students and the educational institution's administration. I thank all the school staff for their work. I thank the parents who, despite air raid alerts and Russian attacks, remain in Ukraine and, together with teachers, make every effort to ensure that our children can study at home, in Ukraine. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2094722864913981767

9-11: On the first day of the school year, I was pleased to visit a space designed to be as child-friendly as possible – a fully barrier-free gymnasium in the Kyiv region. Modern classrooms and workshops, STEM laboratories, a cafeteria that meets the standards of the School Nutrition Reform, and a huge shelter provide everything needed for comfortable learning and development. But accessibility here is about more than ramps and lifts. It is also about creating an atmosphere of dignity and respect for everyone’s needs.

We spoke with the students about the importance of this during a special lesson, “The Language of Dignity.” After all, healthy communication and true accessibility – where the person comes first – begin with the words we use. I am grateful to the specialists who created these lessons accessible for children of all ages. A modern school must teach children the most important lesson of all – how to be a decent person. https://x.com/ZelenskaUA/status/2094806450694492248

We coordinated our diplomatic work for the coming weeks. Three key priorities are financing Ukraine’s defense, our long-range operations and mid-range strikes; energy and winter preparations; and full implementation of the necessary social programs in Ukraine, as well as support for economic activity.

Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi reported on the implementation of the agreements already reached with our partners and preparations for additional steps, in particular with Canada, Norway and other key countries. Ukraine’s ministries and the Office team must demonstrate a much faster pace and fully follow through on what we discussed at the leaders’ level. To cover Ukraine’s defense funding gap and energy needs, further develop social programs and support Ukrainian business activity at this stage of the war, we must use every possible opportunity to cooperate with our partners. No opportunity should be missed. This is primarily a task for the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Finance, Energy and Economy of Ukraine. We need real results.

Various partners have also expressed clear interest in supporting veteran programs in Ukraine, and the ministry in charge of them needs to be much more active. We agreed with the Prime Minister on the corresponding additional sector-specific work. I thank all our partners for their readiness to stand with Ukraine and Ukrainians! https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2094409844627259431

Had a good call with President Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. It was a detailed and constructive conversation. Importantly, the dialogue between negotiating teams of the U.S. and Ukraine continues all the time, and now we are talking about locking in the dates for the visit to Ukraine. Such a trip would be highly beneficial for hammering out solutions for peace.

I also informed them about the situation on the battlefield, where Russia's gains have been sparse and at the cost of huge losses, and about the strikes. Steve and Jared know many details. Our teams will be in close touch to work out the agenda and the most suitable schedule for further communication. I thank President Trump, Steve and Jared, and everyone in the United States who works to make peace our joint achievement. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2094451623061799033

1-3: Today in Chișinău. An important meeting with Maia Sandu. We are working to ensure greater shared security, energy, and infrastructure capabilities. Right now, it is especially important to stand together and strengthen one another. Just a few days ago, the President of Moldova was with us in Ukraine on our Independence Day. Today, Ukraine stands together with Moldova on its Independence Day. Friends should stand shoulder to shoulder. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2093010404628943266

4-6: A trilateral meeting with Maia Sandu and Nicușor Dan. Today, we discussed joint work in the energy sector, the infrastructure that connects us and constitutes a significant part of the economic potential of our countries, the development of security capabilities, and our European integration. It is important that we are here like this – together – Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania. On Moldova’s Independence Day, and just a few days after Ukraine marked its Independence Day. And all of this is much more than mere symbolism. When you are a neighbor of Russia, you need to cooperate as closely as possible with all your other neighbors, with all other free nations. This is a key prerequisite for reliable defense and, more broadly, for development. Unfortunately, our peoples have already had to experience unfreedom – precisely because of Moscow. This must remain in the past. From now on, and forever, we must safeguard our independence, our freedom, and therefore our ability to develop our own potential – our own life. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2093039405317460067

From a press conference with Maia Sandu and Nicușor Dan following the trilateral meeting in Chișinău: I am grateful to the peoples of Moldova and Romania for supporting Ukraine and Ukrainians so sincerely during such a war. You see what Russia has brought to Ukraine and what it threatens every one of its neighbors with. In just the past 24 hours, and in Kyiv alone, there have already been eleven air raid alerts because of “shaheds” and ballistic missiles. In some of our cities and communities, alerts and strikes are virtually constant. We all understand how insane Russia is, and we must help one another, help in such a way that any threats to our peoples are met with a proper response. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2093056671492850116

Today, legendary American boxer Terence Crawford is in Ukraine. He has supported our country and our people since the first days of the war. We deeply value having people like him stand with Ukrainians.

As a gesture of solidarity, Terence gifted me an American Pit Bull Terrier puppy – a female named Freyja. Her grandfather Athos survived the Russian occupation of Bucha, and now Freyja bears the name of our future FREYJA air defense system – as a symbol of our protection.

Thank you for the meeting and for this very warm and special gift. Thank you for your support and for your respect for our people.

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I am glad to share our Independence Day with Ukraine's great friends who are present at the sixth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Kyiv. Today, beside me are my colleagues: Estonia's First Lady Sirje Karis, Lithuania's – Diana Nausėdienė, Serbia's – Tamara Vučić, Finland's – Suzanne Elisabeth Innes-Stubb, Romania's – Mirabela Grădinaru, as well as Slovenia's First Gentleman Aleš Musar. I am grateful for their determination to be here during this difficult period of Russian attacks. This inspires more substantive discussions about our shared resilience, experience, and solutions. Thank you for your engagement and to the leaders of the countries: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Finland's – Alexander Stubb, Estonia's – Alar Karis, Lithuania's – Gitanas Nausėda. Through our joint efforts, we can build a future with shared values: freedom, dignity, and peace. https://x.com/ZelenskaUA/status/2091972109358510447

Resilience is impossible without a foundation and resources. We discuss its varieties for countries, societies, and individuals at the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen "World-2026: Finding Support in Times of Uncertainty." I am grateful to the attending colleagues who shared the paths their countries have taken to overcome challenges. We also heard stories from direct participants across all levels: politicians, managers, psychologists, veterans, artists, and many others whose knowledge of how to stand firm, endure, and create is unique. Their experience is infinitely valuable, so it will serve as a comprehensive guide for those who need inspiration and a push on the path to strengthening themselves and society. https://x.com/ZelenskaUA/status/2091991938480418873

I am pleased to announce that the outcome of the VI Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen will be the world’s first Global Vocabulary of Resilience. It contains 38 terms and practices from different countries, from Finnish Sisu and Lithuanian Šauliai to Ukrainian Sophianity, which I had the honor of presenting personally. Behind each concept is a society’s experience that helps it endure extreme situations. I thank all the international experts who contributed to this collection – there were more than 45 of them. Ultimately, what we have is not a collection of terms, but a common language of resilience – so that the experience of some societies can strengthen others. https://x.com/ZelenskaUA/status/2092137908396265536

For the sixth year in a row, despite everything, Ukraine has hosted the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Kyiv. I am proud that today it is a major international platform for joint action and soft power. Most importantly, this is not talk for talk’s sake. It is new ambulances for regions of Ukraine facing a difficult security situation, new medical partnerships with countries that will help save our people and learn from our experience. It is also the protection of children’s rights, their education, and their future in the face of any threats. Because they are our resilience. The strength of this platform is built every day. I thank everyone who cares for our shared aspirations. https://x.com/ZelenskaUA/status/2092182487346663508

1-3: The fate of Ukraine and our Independence is determined by the daily efforts of everyone who defends our country and helps it stand strong. And it is important for all of us to remember the price at which our freedom is won. To honor all those who fought and continue to fight for Ukraine. And to be grateful to everyone who contributes to keeping Ukraine free. Today, together, we honored the memory of our fallen heroes at the Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2091805539495723465

4-5: Today, as part of a special stage of the exchange, we are bringing back 10 of our warriors – through Belarus. Servicemen of the Armed Forces and the National Guard of Ukraine. They defended the country in the Donetsk sector. All of them had been considered missing in action. And it is very important that we managed to bring them back. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2091847583668846685

6-9: Today, a shared prayer was said at St. Sophia’s Cathedral. People of different denominations and faiths, but firmly united spiritually. And it is precisely this Ukrainian unity that helps our state fight every day for what is ours. Together with representatives of the clergy, we prayed for peace and an end to the war, for Ukraine and our people. For our defenders, for everyone who is waiting to return home, and for blessings for Ukraine. We are grateful to everyone who always keeps Ukrainians in their prayers. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2091882897879847170

10-13: 35 years of our independence. Thirty-five years since the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine was adopted. Ukrainians preserved the independence of their country. And we will certainly defend Ukraine’s independence. There is no doubt about that. Ukraine will always be independent. Ukrainians will not be paving stones under the feet of tsars and rulers. Ukrainians will not be bargaining chips in disputes between capitals. Ukrainians will not submit to what they do not believe in, and they certainly will not abandon their dream – the dream of living, the dream of living independently. On the occasion of our greatest national holiday, we are presenting Ukrainian state awards to those people without whom Ukraine would not exist, and to those whose destinies largely determine what kind of country Ukraine will be. Our warriors, our civilians – those who have done and continue to do everything so that Ukraine exists in this world, so that it is truly free, and so that the name of Ukraine is spoken with pride. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2091900793255244215

1-3: On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence, I presented state awards to our warriors and civilians. I handed the awards to the families of those who were honored posthumously. I also presented battle flags and ribbons of the honorary distinction “For Courage and Bravery” to military units. Among those honored posthumously were Junior Lieutenant Nazarii Hryntsevych (“Grenka”), head of the Platsdarm search organization Oleksii Yukov, and school student Stepan Chubenko, who was killed by Russian militants. I also honored shooting champion Olena Kostevych, Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi, Superhumans CEO Olga Rudnieva, artist Anatoly Kryvolap, and singer Zlata Ognevich. I want to thank each and every person who makes a personal contribution to ensuring that Ukraine not only preserves but steadily strengthens its independence. Thank you for being there for Ukraine and for making our country proud of you. And I ask that we honor the memory of those of our people who, defending Ukraine, defending our blue-and-yellow colors, and defending our independence, gave their lives. Gave their lives so that Ukraine could live. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2091910275498643486

4-8: I want to thank the leaders and the nations that unequivocally supported our state and our people, our independence, and who have come to Ukraine today to mark the 35th anniversary of its independence with us. I presented our state awards to the Presidents of Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Moldova, and the European Council – Alar Karis, Gitanas Nauseda, Alexander Stubb, Maia Sandu, and Antonio Costa. To the Prime Ministers of Luxembourg and Latvia – Luc Frieden and Andris Kulbergs. Also, for the first time today, I presented a new state distinction – “Gratitude of the Ukrainian People” – which Ukraine will use to honor our friends, our true partners who have helped us from the very beginning. Today, we are awarding this distinction to the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – I presented the award to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who came to our country for his first foreign visit. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2091914909135032822

9-11: Over the years of war, Ukraine has built an almost entirely new defense industry. Modern. Technological. An industry that meets the challenges of war. And today, we can all see the results of this work – on the ground, at sea, and in the sky. Ukrainian strength that we saw today on Khreshchatyk, on the Dnipro, and in our skies is the first-ever drone parade of its kind. Ground robotic systems – Termit, Rys, Simba, Ardal, Zmiy, and Ratel. Our fleet, which Ukraine created during the great war – Ukrainian naval drones. Sea Baby, MAGURA, and Sargan. Our aerial target interceptors – P1-Sun, Litavr, and Sting. Ukrainian bombers – Vampire, Lasar, and Heavy Shot; SHARK and LF-400 reconnaissance drones; our long-range sanctions – Morok and Sichen. And this is only part of what Ukraine can already be proud of. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2091922218439569830

12-13: We value the format of the Coalition of the Willing – it brings together countries that are ready not only to talk about security, but to act and to build real security together. Now, we have to deal with a funding gap. Because of the way defense budgeting works, at the beginning of this year the Ministry of Defense used funds that had been budgeted for the end of this year. And the total gap is 27 billion. One of the main options is to bring forward part of the European loan funding this year. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2091942640271192569

Joint press conference with the participants of the NB8 summit.

I had a very good call with Emmanuel Macron, the President of France. We spoke for almost two hours today about all the most important issues. And this concerns, first and foremost, the need for air defense. We highly appreciate that the President of France is ready to help communicate with our other partners who have the necessary missiles for Patriots. We also discussed French air defense capabilities. I briefed Emmanuel on the situation with the strikes. I'm grateful for the condolences over the lives lost.

We agreed to accelerate the delivery of the latest French equipment and missiles. Thank you for confirming your readiness to provide licenses for the production of missiles.

We also discussed the state of diplomatic work with our partners and communication with the team of the President of the United States. We agreed on steps that could open up additional diplomatic opportunities. We also discussed the need for funding to finance our defense this year and next year. We identified defense agreements that need to be accelerated in our bilateral relations. Thank you!

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I met with the ambassadors of the UNITED24 fundraising platform – actress Kathryn Winnick, actor, director, and producer Liev Schreiber, footballer Oleksandr Zinchenko, chef and founder of World Central Kitchen José Andrés, and director, journalist, photographer, and war correspondent Mstyslav Chernov, who will also soon join the team of ambassadors.

UNITED24's activities are first and foremost about shared values. It's about millions of people from all over the world who have helped. It's a signal that they are on Ukraine's side. Your visit here during this very difficult period of massive attacks is also great support for our people. There are more challenges and risks now, but we must be stronger.

Thank you each for your clear stance and for using your own voice to protect human lives.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced newly appointed Minister of Defense Yevhenii Khmara to the staff of the Ministry of Defense.