I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!
First – the Special Operations Forces. Today is the Day of the SOF. I congratulated the warriors, and I am grateful to every SOF member for their bravery. The Special Operations Forces are truly one of the strongest, most distinguished, and simply formidable components of Ukraine’s defense. Thank you! Thank you, guys, for the meeting. Thank you, guys, for the vyshyvanka!
Today, I also held a detailed meeting with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov. I approved our new long-range operations – this is what is needed to make Russia feel that it will have to pay for the war with its own losses. Russia’s oil industry will continue to be reduced if Russia chooses war. We are also seeing signs that Russia’s political leadership is seeking ways to compensate for losses on the front – their occupation force has been reduced. They are issuing so-called mobilization orders in larger numbers, calling up Russians for so-called military training exercises, and introducing other measures in order to continue this essentially covert mobilization on a larger scale. We will share this information with our partners. It is a clear argument that pressure on Russia is not sufficient.
There was a briefing from the Security Service of Ukraine – Major General Khmara – including on internal security here in Ukraine. We are continuing operations against those who chose not Ukraine but assistance to the enemy. Ukraine will be tough with them.
A few more things.
Today I spoke with Ursula von der Leyen – I am grateful for her support. Air defense is the top priority. We are also preparing a special format with the European Union – the Drone Deal – a very promising format. It is impossible to imagine Europe’s security without Ukraine.
Today, members of the United States Congress also visited Ukraine. It is important that America continues to support Ukraine, and that American representatives come here, to Ukraine, and see with their own eyes what is happening and what threats exist. Especially after the Russians carried out a particularly brutal, massive strike overnight into Sunday.
This week, I prepared a special letter – a letter addressed to the President of the United States and to Congress. And yesterday, the letter was officially delivered to the institutions in Washington. It is quite rare for the leader of another state to address both the President and Congress of the United States simultaneously with a letter. But the situation now requires action, swift and effective action. It is important that America hear Ukraine. We understand that much of the world’s attention is currently focused on the war in Iran. But the war here in Europe must also be brought to an end – a very bloody war that is already in its fifth year at full scale. And the sooner we are able to provide greater protection against ballistic threats, the sooner we will be able to make diplomacy work. As long as Russia continues to rely on missiles, its interest in diplomacy is not real. We must correct this. And we can do so only together with America. Ukraine is grateful to America for all its support. And Ukraine will be even more grateful for a dignified peace and guaranteed security. All of this is possible – if there is sufficient determination. I thank everyone who is helping us.
Glory to Ukraine!