I wish you health!
Briefly about today. Energy is the top priority – this is fully understood across the state. Significant resources are engaged in all regions, and we are further increasing them: expanding the number of crews and strengthening support programs for people and for entrepreneurs.
Today, we spoke with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko. The Government will make the procurement of new equipment more accessible for apartment buildings, so that homeowners associations can purchase more generators and other equipment that is so crucial amid electricity shortages. The government officials will also expand the support program for owners of private homes to ensure autonomous power supply. These are, in effect, two new programs, and in the near future government officials are to present all details of the programs to the public. As for the programs already in place, reports were also presented today. Applications from sole proprietors are coming in actively for payments that help maintain and repair generators – nearly 20,000 such applications have already been submitted. The zero-percent loan program for purchasing generators has already reached half a billion hryvnias and will continue to grow – sufficient funds are available within the program. Today, I also instructed that the Warmth Packages program be additionally scaled up – so that 40,000 packages are delivered this week. The program will continue operating. I thank Naftogaz for its support of this program.
I would also like to commend Ukrzaliznytsia – all of its specialists. The conditions are extraordinarily difficult. Russian strikes are hitting our logistics virtually every day – targeting facilities that support rail operations and the rolling stock itself. Many routes are dangerous, but our railway continues to operate.
I thank the first responders of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine for their real effectiveness. Every day, they work at energy facilities, extinguish fires, and help people and communities get through this difficult time. The results achieved by everyone currently involved in dealing with the aftermath of the strikes and in recovery efforts benefit all of Ukraine and contribute to the strength of our state and to Ukrainians’ ability to endure this winter and the war as a whole.
There was a discussion with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, with our diplomats, and with members of the negotiating team. Everyone in our country needs to be more active so that now, in February, there is not a single day wasted in strengthening Ukraine and advancing our ability to end the war in a dignified and reliable way. An important result has now been achieved on Starlink – I would like to thank the Minister of Defense; this is one of the significant changes. We also need to finalize all issues related to supplying the army, including predictable and sufficient supplies of drones and other equipment to the troops.
There will be significant international events this week – on defense and security. In Europe, our position will be sufficiently represented, and the same applies to the United States. In practice, our negotiating team is working every single day on the documents and proposals that could deliver results at the upcoming meetings. Most importantly, our partners must be aligned the same way we are in Ukraine: peace is needed, and reliable security guarantees are the only real foundation for peace and for preventing the Russians from breaking agreements through strikes or hybrid operation of some kind.
There are no countries left in Europe that do not know what Russian interference is and what Russian destabilization operations can look like. Everyone also sees what Russian murderers, Russian missiles, and Russian drones are doing. Protection from this and ensuring security must be tangible and lay the groundwork for a lasting peace. The documents on guarantees are ready. There is no alternative to security. There is no alternative to peace. There is no alternative to rebuilding our country. I thank everyone around the world who is helping! Thank you for every single action in support of life and people right now.
Glory to Ukraine!