I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!
I just held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Minister of Social Policy, and I also spoke with the CEO of Naftogaz – we are preparing support programs for our people, for all Ukrainians, this winter.
Last winter, almost 14 million Ukrainians benefited from the 1,000-hryvnia support and other state program directions, and this winter we will continue to help our people. I instructed the Government to form a rather substantial package of programs that will start in December – the Winter Support. We are now determining the specific elements to be included.
The first element is direct support, as last year, which can be used for the most urgent needs. We are also launching a separate program for those in greatest need – elderly people living alone, large families, residents in areas of active combat, and certain other vulnerable groups. The Prime Minister of Ukraine will present all the details.
We will definitely maintain a fixed gas price this winter – no increases – and the same applies to electricity for household consumers.
I instructed the development of a special transport support program for all Ukrainians, and proposals already came from Ukrzaliznytsia – the UZ-3000. Each person will be able to select rail routes totaling 3,000 kilometers within Ukraine free of charge, whether it’s Lviv–Kyiv, Kyiv–Dnipro, or any other route. Three thousand kilometers, free of charge. The program is currently being developed, and since our state supports the passenger transport sector, the company must give people a tangible solution, so that the funds are truly used for the public good.
Of course, we are also working to expand medical programs – the check-ups project being prepared by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, which will enable every adult to pay more attention to their health, is set to start in January. I tasked the Government with finalizing the preparation of this winter support in the coming weeks and to present all the details by November 15 so that people can begin using it.
Today, we held a separate, in-depth discussion on the energy situation, with particular focus on implementing the agreements reached with our partners. We will definitely secure 100% of the funds required for gas imports, and I want to thank every country and every leader who is already providing assistance. Our most substantial agreements are with Norway, and we are working through details with other European countries. We are counting on support from the European Union, with negotiations expected next week. We will provide maximum assistance for all needs. I am awaiting a report from Ukraine’s Minister of Energy following meetings with G7 representatives. The Group of Seven issued a significant statement this week on backing our energy sector after Russian attacks, and it is crucial that this support has the greatest possible impact.
I also received a report today from the Commander-in-Chief on the situation at the front, primarily in Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, Dobropillia, and other areas of the Donetsk region, as well as Kupyansk and our long-range strikes – drone responses to Russia’s actions. Over the past 24 hours, our drones performed very well. I want to thank our warriors for their precision. Our air defense also performed effectively: of 223 Russian attack drones launched overnight, 206 were destroyed or neutralized. Each day and each night must yield results in destroying the Russian occupier, defending our positions, and protecting our cities and communities. I thank all our units for achieving these very results – every person who truly defends Ukrainian positions.
Glory to Ukraine!