President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with the Ukrainian singer and songwriter, the winner of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest Jamala, who is going to the United States of America, where she will take part in cultural events and meet with high-ranking American officials.
Jamala told the Head of State about the planned events and expressed her belief that the cultural front is extremely important in Ukraine's current struggle for its freedom and independence.
The President supported the singer and noted that signals from well-known figures of culture and art definitely have an impact.
"Your voice is heard everywhere. And this is a great opportunity to remind everyone once again that there is a war going on in Ukraine," he said, addressing Jamala, who is the recipient of the 2022 "Outstanding Artist Leadership Award" from the US Atlantic Council.
Zelensky emphasized that the most pressing problem today is Russian attacks on energy infrastructure facilities and the threat of a blackout, and the whole world should be aware of this problem. In this regard, there are corresponding needs to ensure normal living conditions for the civilian population.
The issue of protecting the Ukrainian sky from missiles and drones is directly related to this challenge. For this, it is necessary to strengthen the air defense of Ukraine.
“It is important for us to get through this winter. We can win and we are winning. But without the help from the USA, which is the leader in supporting Ukraine, and which we will need in the future, it would have been very difficult for us,†the Head of State said.
The President also emphasized the importance of the issue of political prisoners, among whom are many residents of Jamala's native Crimea, in particular Crimean Tatars.
"We have repeatedly handed over lists to the United States, Türkiye, etc. It is very important when leaders and high-ranking officials of such countries pass on information and accelerate this process. We are engaged in exchanges, but so far, unfortunately, the greatest difficulty is with political prisoners. They must be returned," said Zelensky.
Jamala noted that every artist has his own story, and her own begins in the Ukrainian Crimea, in the house that was taken from her.
"And that is why, no matter where I am, the first priority for me is to remind that foreigners came to my house to kill and mutilate life, to destroy and rewrite my culture. It happened in 1944, and then in 2014, and now again. Now everyone in Ukraine understands that this can happen to anyone, if evil is not stopped and brought to justice for crimes," the singer stressed.
