Fellow Ukrainians!
Today, in Slavutych, in the north of our country, I met with the heads of communities of the northern regions – Kyiv and Chernihiv regions. It is very important to support our people here and strengthen our defenses. That is exactly what we are doing. This concerns protective infrastructure – fortifications and other defensive measures – as well as strengthening the border, which will be reinforced further. It also concerns our Defense and Security Forces stationed in this direction – toward Chernihiv and Kyiv from the territory of neighboring Belarus, which Russia is eager to draw deeper into this war, and from Russia’s Bryansk region. We have the capability to strengthen our defenses. We also have the capability to act preventively with regard to Russian territory from which threats may emerge, and with regard to the de facto leadership of Belarus, which must stay on its toes – that is, clearly understand that there will be consequences if aggressive actions against Ukraine, against our people, are taken. We remember that in 2022, the offensive came from the territory of Belarus as well. We will not forget that. Ukraine’s Defense Forces, Security Forces, and our intelligence agencies know what the threats are and how to respond – how to respond justly, without a doubt.
I want to thank our army today for another round of our long-range sanctions against Russian oil refining – there are strong results. The distance from our state border is 800 kilometers. The refinery in Syzran – the hit has been confirmed. I also thank the Security Service of Ukraine – Special Operations Center “A” – for an important response to the occupier on the territory of our Kherson region. Thank you, guys! Each of our long-range sanctions is an argument so that others do not even think about getting involved in the war. And so that Russians come to feel that this war must be ended.
Tomorrow will be a substantive diplomatic day for us – I will have communication with partners – the E3. We will be speaking precisely about ensuring that our joint pressure and joint diplomatic work have a real impact on the situation.
And a few more points about local matters here – both in the Kyiv region and in the Chernihiv region. The Prime Minister and other government officials took part today in the conversation with community leaders. The issues are very clear, substantive, and practical. Local roads – we discussed this in detail. This is the logistics of our defense, the logistics of evacuating the wounded. The biggest issues with such roads must be resolved over the course of June. This is the direct responsibility of the Government, regional authorities, and, where there is shelling, the relevant military and special services. I want to thank everyone involved in this work, and it is very important that communities feel their interests are being safeguarded.
There were many questions from communities bordering Belarus. And, of course, air defense must be strengthened very significantly – exactly as people said. The Minister of Defense of Ukraine knows this priority – there must be an allocation of additional equipment, and there will be. We have this capability. I expect a report on the results. There is also funding for all our defense measures in the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction. If there are urgent issues – issues of equipment or resources – and communities can carry out what is needed themselves, the Government must ensure this, fund it, and help.
Energy – this is a challenge that unites everyone, and the resilience plans prepared for the regions must be fully implemented for every region and every community. Time matters. I thank everyone involved for their prompt work, and I thank the businesses that are helping. I thank everyone who cares for their community and for Ukraine as they would for themselves. Thank you, Slavutych! Thank you to all community leaders who are truly with the people. We will certainly defend our state, defend Ukraine and our independence.
Glory to Ukraine!