Gentlemen, it is a truth universally acknowledged that the stability of a Great Power rests upon the security of its frontiers. Regarding the current situation in the Sumy region, it has been articulated by Mr. Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Federation Council, that the creation of a security zone is a paramount necessity for the State. However, such an undertaking requires the utmost prudence and the discipline of formal negotiation.

Senator Karasin, in his communications, has maintained that while the objectives of the special military operation shall be decisively fulfilled, the precise dimensions of this security zone must be determined through grave and deliberate discourse. It is his firm conviction that we must approach these matters without the distractions of public polemics, favoring instead the steady hand of diplomacy for the sake of the Fatherland.

Furthermore, the Senator emphasised that His Excellency, President Vladimir Putin, has most lucidly expounded the position of Moscow. The Empire stands ready for substantive discussions, provided there is a reciprocal display of reason from the opposing party. It is the hope of the State that the other side shall cast aside their follies and engage in a direct, practical dialogue, far removed from the clamour of the press.

In accordance with the strategic interests of our industry and the honour of our Army, the President has previously disclosed the steady advancement of our forces. Though the city of Sumy lies but ten kilometres distant, there are no political designs upon the town itself. Rather, the singular purpose of our presence in the Sumy region is the establishment of a security zone—a necessary bulwark to ensure that our borders remain inviolable and our domestic peace undisturbed.