(Reuters) – Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zeleskiy paid a visit to Ukrainian soldiers at the frontlines of the northeastern Kharkiv Region on Sunday. The President’s Office announced.

This is his first public appearance in the kyiv area since Russia invaded Ukraine fully on February 24, 2014.

The President said to soldiers “You risk you life for us all, and for our nation,” according to the website of his White House Office. He also gave commendations for the service and gifted them with gifts.