Dear Ukrainians!
Today, the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykhailo Drapatyi, officially assumed his duties – the changes have already taken place. Together with Mykhailo and Yevhenii Khmara, we determined that Ihor Skybiuk will become the new Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – that decision has also already been made. These are battle-tested, experienced men. The troops know them – Drapatyi, Khmara, and Skybiuk.
We agreed that the modernization of Ukraine's Defense Forces will be developed. It is essential that everything proceeds in full coordination and that the Russians are not given a single opening or opportunity. Russia must feel growing pressure and tougher sanctions: our long-range sanctions, our mid-range strikes, and our strong positions on the front. All of this will be delivered.
We also defined the tasks for Ukraine's defense and for carrying out our operations. Air defense is a task. Countering Russian strikes is a task. Bringing more technology into our defense, meeting the needs identified by corps and brigade commanders, and maintaining an active defense across every domain – these are all tasks. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is fully capable of delivering on them, with the support of and in coordination with the new leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, our intelligence agencies, our special services, and the National Guard of Ukraine and its corps. And, of course, in clear cooperation with our partners and weapons manufacturers, based on complete transparency and trust.
Today, I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone in Ukraine – every servicemember and every civilian – for the trust they have placed in our new military leadership. It is important that this trust translates into stronger motivation for our defenders, and it is important that our guys stay strong and live up to the trust that society has shown them. We are giving them every tool they need.
Today, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker was in Kyiv, together with Lieutenant General Buzzard, Commander of NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine. It was a good meeting. We talked about Patriots for us – for Ukraine. We need missiles to protect our people's lives. There cannot be a shortage of ballistic missile interceptors like there is right now – these past few months have been very difficult. It is important that our partners help us. That's exactly what we discussed with Whitaker today – licenses, missiles – we need it all. I'm asking for this to move faster, and, honestly, we also need more. We discussed the Drone Deal with the United States, which our teams are now working through. It will definitely take our cooperation with America to a new level. I thank everyone who stands with us.
Together with Rustem Umerov, Kyrylo Budanov, and Sergiy Kyslytsya, we just spoke with U.S. President’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The diplomatic track, the diplomatic process, is moving forward for us every single day. We are not letting up in our efforts to end this war. The key is for the Russians to be truly ready to end it.
Of course, the situation on the front, together with our long-range sanctions and mid-range strikes, is creating a new atmosphere around Putin. A very toxic atmosphere. He alone is the reason this war began and hasn't ended. Putin alone is responsible for the losses Russians continue to suffer. His retinue understands this – they are signaling it to us and to our partners. Russian society is beginning to feel it more and more as well. We need decisions to bring about peace. Ukraine has been ready for this for a long time, and we are doing everything we can to ensure this war ends with dignity.
I thank every one of our warriors, every unit, for their precision. I thank all our weapons developers and manufacturers. I thank all our people for their resilience and their faith in Ukraine.
Glory to Ukraine!