Fellow Ukrainians!
I started the day with a special format – this will be the case every day now, with everyone staying in touch – a special coordination call with everyone responsible for recovery and management under such an emergency. Energy, provision of services in cities and villages. From the Government and the military to the regions, regional authorities and community leaders. Kyiv and the region, Kharkiv and the region, Dnipro region – Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih; Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Chernihiv. Tasks have been defined, and throughout the day the Government must deliver solutions. First and foremost, to increase electricity imports and all possible options for backup supply and support. As for assistance points in cities, there are separate tasks for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, including in terms of keeping people really informed. Everyone must be able to contact the 112 hotline and receive assistance, and get information on heating and electricity supply. It is important that state institutions and local authorities maintain full communication with businesses and energy companies – with everyone who can now provide additional resources for our collective resilience. There must be decisions regarding the curfew so that it is easier for entrepreneurs to plan their work. And so that business facilities can be used as assistance points for people. In particular, government officials have already spoken with retail chains. I instructed the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the First Deputy Prime Minister – the Minister of Energy – as well as other government officials to be as active as possible in communicating with the public and to provide maximum support to communities.
Separately, we spoke with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine and the Commander of the Air Force regarding the protection of energy facilities and the needs we have. Today there were again severe strikes on Kharkiv – specifically on critical infrastructure, missile strikes. “Shaheds” targeted Kyiv in the morning and are now attacking it again in the evening. The situation is difficult in the border regions. It is important to strengthen the Dnipro region and Odesa as well – we will intensify our engagement with partners.
I just spoke with Mark Rutte – in particular, about the PURL initiative and our ability to purchase missiles for air defense. We also discussed diplomatic efforts with America – Ukraine has never been and will never be a stumbling block to peace. It is Russian missiles, Russian “shaheds,” and Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukraine that are clear evidence that it is not agreements at all that Russia is seeking. When Ukrainians are left without power for 20–30 hours because of Russia, and when Russian strikes are aimed at breaking our energy system and our people, it is Russia that must be put under pressure. I am grateful to everyone who supports Ukraine in this. We will conduct our diplomatic work far more actively – both public and official, and non-public and unofficial.
Glory to Ukraine!