Speeches

Today, I want to thank our European partners. A meeting was held at the level of National Security Advisors. We are steadily advancing the issue of anti-ballistic capabilities production in Europe – we are forming an anti-ballistic coalition. This is something worth doing, and right now we are closer to a result than ever before.

I am grateful to the EU and every country taking part in our Coalition to bring back children – children who were abducted by Russia. Almost every month, we see results. Children come home. But many more still need to come home.

Today, the frontline was far from quiet – there was fighting. We have documented all of this. We can also see that Russia has no intention of ending this war, and, unfortunately, we are bracing for new attacks. But there must be peace. This is exactly what we are working for.

Our contacts with the American side regarding guarantees are also ongoing – guarantees for the implementation of the arrangements reached recently and announced by the President of the United States. The prisoner exchange – 1,000 for 1,000 – is being prepared and must take place. The Americans assumed responsibility for these guarantees. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters has handed over the lists for one thousand POWs to the Russian side.

Now, on May 8, when most of the world remembers and honors the warriors of World War II – those who defeated the Nazis – one must recognize that today’s Russian Nazis are continuing their war and are still trying to bring back the same insane order that was defeated in World War II.

Ukraine was ready to ensure complete silence. But in response to this peace proposal of ours, there were only new Russian strikes and new threats from Russia.

Russia has not halted any form of its military activity. Unfortunately, it has not. Ukraine will act in kind. Depending on the situation overnight and tomorrow, we will also determine our fully justified responses. Russia has received from us a clear proposal on silence of the guns and diplomacy – and knows how to contact Ukraine or our partners in order to coordinate the details.

As long as this war continues – strong support for Ukraine must continue. Every support package matters, especially air defense. Every contribution to the PURL program matters. And we need new PURL packages this year, this May.

I received a report from the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, on the work of our services that help Ukrainians in the aftermath of Russian strikes. Kherson came under brutal attack today: drones targeted civilian transport, and passenger minibuses were hit. Tragically, lives have been taken – my condolences to their families and loved ones. People have also been wounded, and all are receiving the necessary assistance.

On the contact line, infantry must be provided with the strongest possible conditions. This will also apply to financial support. I have instructed that monthly contract levels for infantry on the contact line be set at 250,000 to 400,000 hryvnias.