I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
I held a Staff meeting. First of all, we discussed UGVs – unmanned ground vehicles. This is the next major step in the defense of our state, one that is truly impacting the situation following the transition to drones. It is already impossible to imagine defense without drones, and the same applies to UGVs. I want to thank every unit, all our soldiers and commanders, our volunteers, all developers and manufacturers working specifically on this – on the integration of UGVs. Production and supply volumes must be increased. For this year, the contracted volume is already more than double compared to last year. And this is a level that must definitely be even higher. There is a task for the Minister of Defense of Ukraine and the General Staff – at least 50,000 UGVs this year. Everyone must understand: this is about saving lives. Logistics on the frontline, evacuation of the wounded, combat missions – the use of UGVs is now expanding at the fastest pace. And this is exactly how it should be. Second – we are actively seeking ways to secure ballistic missile defense capabilities and other air defense systems against missiles. The challenges are clear: the war in Iran is significantly complicating the supply of interceptor missiles. There is personal responsibility – for our diplomats, for the military command in their respective areas, and for all involved government officials – to ensure that the commitments our partners have already made are fulfilled. Over the past week, we have received three contributions to the PURL initiative – from three European countries. I would like to thank them for this. There should be additional contributions in May, and I expect updates from Ukrainian ambassadors on how they are working to secure them. We are also working on alternatives. In the long term, strategically, Ukraine must have its own ballistic missile defense system – either developed independently or jointly with partners, strong partners who are truly ready to work and who understand what kind of challenge it is. Russia is not slowing down its military industry – only we are reducing its pace through our Ukrainian long-range sanctions. We are also working actively with partners to ensure they use every possible method to cut off supplies of components and machine tools for weapons production in Russia. But strategically, this must be the objective – our own ballistic missile defense system. Ukraine has already achieved a lot. The weapons we are producing now – the weapons that are truly impacting the situation on the frontline – we didn’t have those before. Now we are producing them, and in the volumes that are needed. These include millions of drones for the front, our long-range drones, our own artillery, and our own munitions, which were not produced before. Ukraine’s defense development must result in its own range of key weapons, along with corresponding joint production and joint programs with our partners.
We reviewed in detail today the outcomes of the initial stages of arrangements in the Middle East and the Gulf, as well as in the Caucasus and the European Union. Rustem Umerov delivered a report. Ukraine’s security expertise is extremely valuable. The key point is that this brings mutual benefit for our states – for Ukraine and for our partners. There are concrete financial commitments to Ukraine, and now – diesel supplies and other energy arrangements that support Ukraine. The volume in Ukraine’s fuel market in recent months despite all the global instability is the result of our specific arrangements. I would like to thank all our partners.
And one more point.
Ukraine always expresses its gratitude and always remembers clearly who supported us and how after this war began. But it is equally important, especially for Europe, that all partners remember that Ukraine is defending not only itself in this war. Russia wants our territory so that it can capture the territories of others. If it succeeds with one country – one neighbor – it will do the same with others. That is exactly how Russia has proceeded: a part of Moldova, parts of Georgia, the seizure of Crimea and the occupation of Donetsk, the subjugation of Belarus. A full-scale war against Ukraine. This can only be stopped with real strength and real principled resolve from all partners. That is what matters – principled resolve. This applies to the United States, the G7 countries, and European states. For there to be real peace in Europe and for Russia to be stopped, there must be dignified terms and respect for Ukraine. In every key security dimension – sovereignty, territorial integrity, security guarantees, accession to the European Union, and the real reconstruction of our country after the war. We are working for a dignified peace. Thank you to everyone who stands with us, who stands with Ukraine!
Glory to Ukraine!