I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
First of all, today we have reason to thank our air defense – good results, there were interceptions: more than 30 Russian missiles were shot down. Most of them targeted the energy sector specifically – we indeed managed to protect very important facilities. As for the “shaheds,” there are results as well. And every night it is like this – every night when our air defense has sufficient ammunition and when partners fulfill what we agree on, we have the ability to achieve exactly such results and interceptions. Over these weeks, the Air Force has started performing better – some elements of the system were successfully reorganized, precisely in the organization of defense against such massive strikes. I want to thank the command, I thank the Minister of Energy, I thank the Minister of Defense, and everyone involved both at the central level and in the regions so that the sky protection system works. Today I signed a decree awarding state decorations to our servicemembers who are specifically defending the sky. I want to thank you all: army aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, mobile fire groups, everyone involved.
I spoke several times today with Rustem Umerov and Davyd Arakhamiia, as well as with envoys of the President of the United States Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, following the outcomes of their meetings today. There is already greater readiness for the next trilateral format. Most likely, the next meeting will take place in the Emirates – in Abu Dhabi. We expect the format to take place in early March. We need to finalize everything achieved so far for real security guarantees and prepare a meeting at the leaders’ level – and this is exactly the format that can resolve many issues. At the end of the day, leaders decide key issues and when it comes to Russia – such a personalist regime – this is relevant even more than in other countries. The war must be ended – this is our position, the position of Ukraine, and the position of all our partners. But unfortunately, everyone now sees that Russia shows no readiness for peace, and there is still not a single sign that Putin is stopping his war machine. On the contrary, he is preparing to continue fighting, and the world must be ready to pressure Russia so that this changes. The solution is clear to everyone in the world. Russia will stop the war even on its own, of its own will, when the world completely stops Russian oil, other Russian energy resources, and Russian banks. This is absolutely doable. The world’s sanctions must work toward this – toward a genuine and lasting peace. Of course, with both the United States and Europe we are discussing each format of pressure and diplomacy that can truly work. It is very important that partners remain sufficiently resolute. Today I gave the team further directives on what we must achieve.
One more thing.
We had a detailed discussion with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko on preparing our strategy for energy recovery and enhanced protection of the energy sector for next winter. We will finalize the strategy by March 1 and approve it afterward. This is to ensure that the European Commission, European countries, the United States, global businesses, and Ukrainian companies with the necessary capacity can all join in and work together with us – alongside our people – to strengthen resilience and expand our capabilities ahead of next winter. Of course, this also concerns the period this year when Russian strikes may continue targeting our infrastructure and our cities. All the positive experience of Ukrainian cities, the experience of Ukrainian communities that are going through this winter better than others – all this experience must be taken into account. I expect proposals from the regions. This is your responsibility – and the regions must be truly prepared. I want to thank everyone who works for Ukraine, I want to thank all who defend our state, who defend Ukrainians. Thank you!
Glory to Ukraine!