Fellow Ukrainians!
The key points of the day. I held a Staff meeting. We are working with weapons manufacturers to find a solution against jet-powered “shaheds” and other weapons the Russians use against our people. The task is difficult, but we already have prototypes, and we need to ensure their effective use and the necessary production volumes as quickly as possible. I thank all Ukrainian engineers, developers, and manufacturers who are offering effective solutions and ensuring production. We need high-speed interceptors that will work with sufficient effectiveness. Russia’s plans for the use of weapons are aimed specifically at terror against people and against life – these are attempts to wear down civilian life and strike the economy. Today, the Russians struck a Coca-Cola plant with a drone. Coca-Cola has now apparently become such an enemy for them that they are burning it with their “shaheds.” A clear Russian signal to America – the Russians cannot possibly be unaware that this is an American company. There will also be asymmetric operations on our part – in response to this Russian tactic. Wherever Russian criminals may hide, they will be found. And today there is yet another confirmation of this fact – confirmation in the Saratov region. It is also important that airlines using Russian airspace continue to pay attention to the real situation and the real danger. Today, there are new signals from airlines on this, and we confirm that because of Russia’s war, Russian skies have become a space for drones, not civilian aircraft. Drones are a concrete reality, unlike the words of Russian officials who are trying to reassure airlines. It is better to prioritize safety and protect lives. I want to recognize our combat aviation – right now, it is our aircraft that are doing the most to shoot down Russian jet-powered “shaheds,” especially the jet-powered ones. The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and our diplomats have been tasked with scaling up the capabilities of our combat aviation. We will speak with our partners – with those who made commitments to supply Ukraine with combat aircraft and to cooperate on maintaining the equipment, but have not yet fulfilled their obligations and our agreements. We need results.
I just held a meeting with the team engaged in negotiations with the envoys of the U.S. President. We are in communication with them virtually 24/7 and are now preparing for meetings. Tentative dates have been set. We expect to see the U.S. President’s envoys here in Kyiv. They confirmed they will have a meeting in Moscow and another one in Kyiv. We expect the latter to take place in the coming days. This is very important. It is important that America remain actively engaged. We are ready to meet with them in Ukraine – properly and substantively. Today, I also spoke with a representative of India – India’s Minister of External Affairs visited Ukraine. It is precisely strong countries like India that can add to the capabilities of diplomacy. India’s position is clear: there must be an end to the war, not Putin’s attempts to make this war endless. The Minister and I discussed what is needed to achieve this, including from the standpoint of food export security in the Black Sea, which is suffering as a result of the Russian war. We need to act not only through statements, not only through persuasion, but also through the necessary economic tools that have an impact on the aggressor. We are preparing the relevant meetings for September so that Russia feels the economic consequences.
And one more point.
I spoke with Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko about the situation between the Security Service of Ukraine and the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine. Two individuals implicated in the shooting have been formally named as suspects – a Security Service officer and a Defense Intelligence officer. All the other circumstances of what happened are also being investigated – from the very first day of this entire situation. It is important that the truth be established and that situations like this never happen again. Therefore, the heads of these two agencies – the SSU and the Defense Intelligence – will be assessed based on the results of the internal investigation. Personnel decisions have already been made in both agencies – deputy heads who bear responsibility for this situation will be dismissed. This is entirely fair – both agencies must be held accountable; both acted in a way that is absolutely unacceptable.
I thank everyone who defends Ukraine and Ukrainians, everyone who protects lives.
Glory to Ukraine!