Dear Ukrainians!
Today has been a full day of work following the Russian strike. Recovery efforts are underway in all regions affected by this attack. The strike was massive – a record in ballistic missiles. There were 28 cruise missiles and another 43 of various types coming specifically on ballistic trajectories, which can only be intercepted by systems like the Patriots. The defense was tough, and some missiles were intercepted – but not all. Unfortunately. There were hits specifically on energy facilities. The Russians also deployed 450 drones, a significant number of them “shaheds.”
The situation is most difficult after the strike in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, in Kharkiv and the region, including the city of Lozova, as well as regions of central Ukraine – primarily the Dnipro and Vinnytsia regions and parts of the Chernivtsi region. Strikes occurred throughout the day and continue this evening. All of our necessary forces are engaged in recovery everywhere. It is essential that government officials provide maximum support to regional and local authorities with equipment and reserves. Every local leader must act swiftly enough – there is simply no time to wait. We must also be as active as possible with our partners – all partners able to provide support packages must receive all the information they need.
Also today, Mark Rutte, the NATO Secretary General, was in Ukraine. Among other sites, he also visited a thermal power plant destroyed by missiles. We agreed that Mark will help us ensure that leaders understand what is happening and why Ukraine needs immediate support. This includes, in particular, air defense missiles – missiles for the Patriots – because we see the tactics the Russians have chosen. They spare no means of attack. We need new contributions from partners to the PURL initiative, which enables us to procure weapons from the United States. We agreed with Mark on the countries that should respond and can provide the swiftest assistance.
We await the reaction of the United States of America to the Russian strikes. It was specifically the U.S. proposal – to halt strikes on energy during diplomacy and such severe winter weather. The President of the United States made the request personally. We see that Russia responded to this request with a record number of ballistic missiles – barely four days have passed of the week Russia was asked to hold off. This also speaks volumes about any other promises Russia has made or might still make. If their word doesn't hold even now, what can be expected next? They lied before this war as well, and Russia launched the full-scale war, trying to deceive everyone about their intentions and about Ukraine. Even now, in these details, in these agreements with the United States, Russia resorts to deception again. They are incorrigible in Moscow and are trying to take advantage specifically of the cold because they cannot subdue us, Ukraine, through their assaults.
Russia’s bet on war must receive a response from the world. The U.S. Congress has long been working on a new sanctions bill, and it is important that there be progress on it. Our European partners – and I discussed this with President Macron and Ursula von der Leyen – can take decisive steps regarding Russian oil tankers earning for the war. Europe needs the same strong capabilities the United States now has, not simply to stop tankers carrying oil for Russia – or not only to stop them – but to confiscate both the tankers and the oil. We respectfully ask for this. Russia must feel pressure so that it complies with partners’ requests and genuinely moves in negotiations toward peace. So far, only Ukraine is expected to make concessions. Russia must make concessions, the foremost being to end its aggression. Those who started the war must take steps toward de-escalation and stopping the war. If this is not happening, and until it happens, every Russian strike hits not just our energy infrastructure, not just our cities and communities in –20 °C, but every strike also targets the leaders negotiating with Russia and receiving only further war in response.
Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kyiv, and the communities of the Donetsk and Kherson regions remain under constant attack. Today, in Zaporizhzhia, a Russian drone killed two passersby right on the street – both were only 18 years old. My condolences to their families. The war must be stopped. But if the world – the United States, Europe – lacks the power to stop Russian strikes, who will believe it has the power to truly prevent the war from flaring up again? Steps are needed to build trust in everything happening between the different parties right now. And pressure is needed to create incentives for Russia to invest in diplomacy rather than a war of destruction.
One more thing.
I want to thank everyone in Ukraine who is working and trying to ease the conditions for people. I thank every repair crew, all energy companies, state enterprises involved. Ukrzaliznytsia is helping as well, Naftogaz is forming additional crews. I’m grateful to you. Thank you.
What’s important is that government support programs are working. Seventeen million eight hundred thousand Ukrainians have already benefited from the winter support program. New programs to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs have started – including a program covering the maintenance and purchase of generators and fuel. On the very first day, this program already received 4,000 applications. We are scaling up the distribution of warmth kits – in the coming days, at least 30,000 of these kits will be distributed in the regions facing the greatest difficulties. Zero-interest loans for purchasing generators have also started. The program to support the most vulnerable social groups is already effective – 374,000 Ukrainians have received 6,500 hryvnias each. Other support programs will follow – I discussed this today with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko. Everyone must work at maximum capacity to ease this winter emergency for people – central and regional authorities, communities, businesses – and we, of course, count on partners not to stand aside. We must protect lives.
Glory to Ukraine!