Fellow Ukrainians!
Right now, recovery efforts are underway in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro and the region, as well as several other regions following the Russian strike. It was yet another massive strike against the energy sector. Once again, there was a large amount of ballistic weaponry. Most of these Russian weapons targeted specifically energy facilities. There were 24 ballistic missiles last night, as well as one cruise missile and more than 200 drones. A significant portion of them was shot down.
The task of the Minister of Defense – who is currently with Europeans and our other partners at the Ramstein meeting – is to accelerate the delivery of packages for our air defense. This is a key task right now not only for Ukraine, but for everyone in Europe. The Russians must not get used to believing that their missiles and “shaheds” help them in any way. They only complicate everything and undermine what are, frankly, already limited diplomatic opportunities. That is exactly why support for Ukraine is needed. Sufficient pressure on Russia is needed. The war must be ended with guaranteed security and definitely without any rewards for the aggressor for the war. These are the prerequisites – so that Europe is simply not swept away by other Russian strikes – new aggressions, and the same massive attacks against other European states that we in Ukraine are now repelling.
I also expect active involvement from the entire system of Ukrainian diplomacy. This applies to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and every Ukrainian embassy. If an embassy remains silent, that means its work is unsatisfactory. Ukraine must be heard – heard everywhere in the world. Ukraine must be supported. I expect relevant results in support of Ukraine as early as this week.
As always, I thank our repair and emergency crews, our energy companies, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, municipal services – those who are working effectively – as well as local community and regional leaders who truly stand with their people and their communities. Every morning, there is a coordination call on the situation in our regions, and it is always clear who is truly working effectively and who only calls themselves authorities and is not doing enough for people. Of course, there will be conclusions.
Our negotiating group is working continuously – the guys are in contact with the American side. Ukraine is ready for meetings, but at this point, unfortunately, we still do not have firm answers from Russia regarding what has been proposed for next week. So far, we hear nothing but more manipulation around “Oreshnik.” This is certainly not about peace.
And one more point. The decision of the International Olympic Committee against Vladyslav Heraskevych, our athlete who simply remembers and honors Ukrainian athletes whose lives were taken by Russian strikes, is definitely not about peace, not about justice, and not about the principles of the Olympic movement. Sport must not be devoid of memory and respect. Ukrainians are already preparing for competitions under extraordinary conditions – under conditions of war. And it is not politics to speak about what is actually happening. Politics is when Russians hide behind other passports and still make it to competitions. Politics is when the Russian flag is still present at the Olympics. Politics is when the International Olympic Committee is afraid of the truth and, because of that, provokes chaos itself. Full support to our athletes. I thank all of you. I thank Vladyslav Heraskevych. I have signed a decree awarding Vladyslav the Order of Freedom – and I thank him for his principled stance. Thank you to everyone who does not give up, who fights, who protects lives, who restores everything after Russian strikes, and who fights for Ukraine as for themselves.
Glory to Ukraine!