We had a very warm and heartfelt meeting on the eve of Saint Nicholas Day with a large foster family raising seven children. Like many Ukrainian families, after the occupation of their home, they had to start life anew. Yet resilience, care, and mutual support helped them through these trials. We thank Vasyl and Natalia for raising our Ukrainian children in exactly this way. We also thank Dell Loy Hansen, whose support through the Room for Childhood project enabled the Olena Zelenska Foundation to build this home.

The Russians are peddling the narrative around the world that Ukraine allegedly cannot defend itself. They are saying that Ukrainian warriors cannot defend themselves. The daily combat results of the Ukrainian army, our special forces, and deep strikes – these are all proof that Ukraine can defend its interests. Now every eliminated Russian occupier, every replenishment of our exchange fund for Ukraine, every Russian assault Ukrainians have repelled, every piece of destroyed Russian equipment, every deep strike we carry out – these are all arguments showing that it’s worth standing with Ukraine, worth helping Ukraine, and that it is not Ukraine that must be pressured for peace, but Russia – the sole reason this war drags on.