I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
Today was a long day, with many internal issues on the agenda. Energy – restoration and the protection of energy facilities. In Kyiv, the situation is difficult, and in some respects the most difficult compared to our other cities. Essentially, resources from across the country are being mobilized to support the capital. The Government of Ukraine will expand all programs to support people, including the distribution of approximately one hundred thousand heat kits. There are things that must be done for Kharkiv – the Ministry of Energy must accelerate the necessary supplies. We also held separate discussions with the Commander of the Air Force, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, and regional leaders regarding protection against Russian “shaheds.” The number of defensive lines and positions has already been significantly increased. We are adding crews and increasing drone supplies. However, this is still not enough, especially in critical areas – particularly in Zaporizhzhia and other regions. The task is very specific: to expand all defensive lines for the energy sector and all forms of coverage for critical infrastructure. I want to thank all repair and emergency crews who are currently working both in Kyiv and in the regions. People are extremely exhausted. New crews will be deployed – we discussed this with the Minister of Energy. I thank all state-owned companies that are providing assistance – Ukrzaliznytsia, Naftogaz – as well as all municipal utilities and all energy companies. Naftogaz has also secured the first liquefied natural gas shipment this year – from the United States. This additional import is necessary for us because the Russians have destroyed a significant part of our domestic production. We are also preparing the first delivery of American gas via Greece and neighboring European countries – this is something we agreed on, and I am grateful that these arrangements are working. All agreements that strengthen us help us endure.
There was a report from our delegation after today’s meetings held in a trilateral format. There were also contacts between the team and the American side. The report was delivered by Rustem Umerov, Kyrylo Budanov, and Davyd Arakhamiia – the guys were in contact. We discussed the interim results of the negotiations for today. They will continue tomorrow. There will also be a significant step: we expect a POW exchange in the near future. Captives must be brought home. Overall, Ukraine’s position is very clear: the war must be ended for real. Russia must be ready for this. And partners must also be ready to ensure it in real terms with their real guarantees – security guarantees – and their real pressure on the aggressor. And it must be felt now – people in Ukraine must feel that the situation is genuinely moving toward peace, toward an end to the war, and not toward a scenario in which the Russians exploit everything to their advantage and continue their strikes. There must be no rewards for the aggressor – if any reward is given to the aggressor, Russia will, over time, break any agreement.
There was a report from the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine. An important part of the report focused on Russia’s tanker fleet, which is operating specifically to sustain the war. Unfortunately, the Russians continue to exploit various jurisdictions around the world, operating under different corporate covers. They are exploiting Europe as well – and this is extremely serious. In 2025 alone, Russia involved more than 122 vessels in its oil trade that are operated or legally owned by European entities. This constitutes a significant portion of Russia’s tanker fleet. Europe must act far more decisively to counter Russia’s tanker fleet. I thank all partners who see this the same way and who are ready to strengthen legislation to block these tankers and confiscate Russian oil. We will work toward this in a bilateral format. Active diplomatic efforts lie ahead. And it is important that partners support our work with sufficient assistance to Ukraine – assistance now. Resilience now, realism in our discussions with partners now, and joint results now – this is what can make the strongest contribution to the outcome of diplomacy now.
Glory to Ukraine!