Ukraine is strongly committed to restoring sovereignty throughout its internationally recognized territory, Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak said speaking at the Hudson Institute in Washington on Monday.

"Despite everything, the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured a bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Step by step they are demilitarizing Crimea. We have covered 70% of the distance. And our counteroffensive continues," Yermak said.

According to him, "President Zelenskyy has a clear plan. Among his priorities, he identifies the development of our defense industry and the deployment of our own weapons production."

In the meantime, Yermak noted, we need weapons right now. "I'll tell you the truth: this winter will be hard for us too. They will again attempt terror against our citizens by attacking energy networks and infrastructure. But strengthening air defense will be the key to recovery."

"In order to recover, Ukraine needs a reliable umbrella. Strengthening it, in particular, will allow us to launch one of the airports in Ukraine. My partners and I are already working on this," he said.

Yermak said Ukraine "is able to account for every unit of defense supplies received. Transparency matters. President Zelenskyy and our team use this principle everywhere."

"The myth of the most corrupt country in Europe is officially dispelled. The myth of frozen transformation has been dispelled. The myth about the decline of democracy is also dispelled," Yermak said.

He said "ending the war through compromise is nothing more than a pause. Ukraine will not repeat the mistakes of 'Minsk."

"I believe that the only correct Normandy format is the one that Ronald Reagan described: 'We're bound by reality. The strength of America's allies is vital to the United States, and the American security guarantee is essential to the continued freedom of Europe's democracies," the President's Office head said.