President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initiated a new holiday in Ukraine and also ordered to raise the salary of Ukrainian military personnel by almost a third from the beginning of next month. According to the text of the Decree, on February 16, which the United States called a potential day for a new Russian attack on Ukraine, Ukrainians will celebrate the Day of Unity.
In a video address to the nation, Zelenskyy stated that the war is waged with the Ukrainians on all fronts—military, diplomatic, energy, and informational ones. The head of state stressed that now Ukraine is "stronger than ever." He added that the Ukrainian side is aware of the risks, working out different scenarios, and preparing "decent response" to any Russian aggression.
"We are told that February 16 will be the day of the attack. We will make it the Day of Unity. The corresponding decree has already been signed. On this day, we will raise our national flags, put on blue and yellow ribbons and show our unity to the whole world."
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine
The document stipulates that on the specified date, the state flag will be raised in all cities and villages of the country, the national anthem will be played at 10 am, and diplomatic institutions will need to hold "image-building events aimed at uniting and supporting Ukraine."
The normative act provides for an increase in the salary of military personnel by 30% from March 1, the salary of military personnel of the State Border Service and the National Guard will increase by 20%. The document also contains a clause on the creation and functioning of territorial defense and the appropriate training of the population for "national resistance".
Moreover, the Presidential Decree obliges officials to be at their workplaces and perform their duties. In case of violations, sanctions will await these persons.
Context. On Sunday, Joe Biden's National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warned that Moscow could resort to another invasion of Ukraine as early as this week. Prior to that, according to Politico, Biden himself assumed that a Russian invasion could occur on February 16. A new attack in the period from 15 to 16 February was also previously predicted by the German newspaper Der Spiegel (with reference to the CIA).
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