Speeches

Today, Ukraine introduced sanctions. Russia continues its war, and in response, there must be our strong pressure with partners – pressure that is truly tangible for Russia, that brings them losses and that is felt politically.

Weak responses to Russian brazenness spur Russia to continue the war. We need so many sanctions, so much pressure, so much support for life that Russia is stripped of all means of existence in wartime.

Today, we have introduced a new sanctions package zeroing in on Russia’s activities in the Arctic. This is one of Russia’s cash cows: A significant portion of the resources the enemy sells each year are extracted precisely from the lands and waters of the Arctic.

A great deal of work with partners is currently underway – primarily for the sake of our air defense and our energy sector, which are key priorities amid such Russian strikes. Practically every day, our power engineers, repair brigades, and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine are carrying out restorations on-site after attacks.

Today, I was in the Donetsk and Dnipro regions, and – most importantly – in the Pokrovsk sector, with those very corps that are doing the crucial work: destroying the occupier, defending Pokrovsk, defending Myrnohrad, defending Dobropillia. I want to thank every warrior, every unit engaged here and on other parts of the front.

Of course, more systems are needed to protect key infrastructure sites and our cities across the entire territory of our state. And we will continue working to obtain them – not only at the political level with states and leaders but also directly with manufacturers of all necessary air defense systems and missiles for them.

I just held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Minister of Social Policy, and I also spoke with the CEO of Naftogaz – we are preparing support programs for our people, for all Ukrainians, this winter.