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The US remains in regular contact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky via a secure satellite phone that the US gave to the Ukrainian government last month before the invasion took place, according to a US official familiar with the matter.
Secure communications previously between Ukrainians and US officials passed through the embassy in Kiev, two US officials said. As the US prepared to evacuate the embassy, and with growing fears of Russian occupation happening now, the US sent them the phone that is now being used on their Ukrainian counterparts.
The secure phone allows Zelensky to stay in touch with the US while he is on the move, the official added. Zelensky has made it clear he intends to stay in the country and is currently moving to many places in Kiev that are protected by a substantial security presence, CNN reported.
Earlier, Zelensky had filmed his video messages speaking in front of monuments or other well-known buildings, but his speech to the European Parliament on Tuesday was delivered via video from a room decorated only with a Ukrainian flag.
The United States provided a similar satellite phone to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, the official said. Phones require electricity, but can be powered by a generator or powered by a car if needed.
It initially took several days for Ukrainians to set up and operate satellite phones because the instructions for using them were in English, not Ukrainian.
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