Speeches

Our delegation is now in Istanbul. And we are ready to take the necessary steps for peace.

Just now, I received a report from Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk – a brilliant operation was carried out. It took place on enemy territory and was aimed exclusively at military targets – specifically, the equipment used in strikes against Ukraine.

We are now preparing for new diplomatic steps together with our partners in Europe and, importantly, with our partners in the United States. In fact, we are in contact almost daily with everyone who can make diplomacy meaningful.

We are trying to add real substance to a potential meeting. Not a single day must be lost, because every day of Russia undermining diplomacy costs human lives.

Words do not work with Moscow. Even the so-called “memorandum,” which they promised and allegedly spent over a week preparing – no one has seen it yet. It has not been shared with Ukraine. They are doing everything to ensure the meetings are meaningless. And that is yet another reason why there should be sufficient sanctions, sufficient pressure on Russia.

We are also preparing new agreements with our European partners in the near future, to attract investment into Ukrainian production. First and foremost, this means the production of unmanned systems and long-range capabilities – everything that allows us to maintain control on the front lines, protect the lives of our warriors, and operate at significant distances.

Now the Russians are supposedly drafting proposals for a memorandum on peace. They talk a lot about diplomacy. But when, in the midst of all that, there are constant Russian strikes, constant killings, relentless assaults, and even preparations for new offensives – this is clearly a diagnosis.

The main update: we continued the exchange today. Another 307 of our warriors have been returned home – privates and sergeants.

Every one of our citizens, every Ukrainian servicemember and civilian, all Ukrainian hostages held in Russia – we must free all of them. Today, almost four hundred, 390 people are back home – both military and civilians. Tomorrow and the day after, the next stages will follow. The formula is a thousand for a thousand.

Ukraine is ready to take the fastest possible steps – for a real ceasefire and the establishment of a new security architecture. We are doing all the necessary groundwork on our side. What’s needed is a reciprocal readiness from Russia – and it’s not there now. Without global pressure, that won’t change.