Fellow Ukrainians!
Briefly about today. I held a Staff meeting, and the main issue at this Staff meeting was Russian aerial bombs and our protection against them. This is a comprehensive issue – countering Russian aviation, meaning our long-range activity, as well as other methods of protection. We are also working to ensure that we have our Ukrainian analogues of such weapons. We have now gathered all available technological solutions and all existing requests, and the task for the next Staff meeting is to determine what can and should be scaled up – for protection against Russian aerial bombs, and so that we in Ukraine can truly respond to Russia in kind to this threat as well. Ukraine’s technological development will not stop, and our state does have the relevant capabilities.
Today, NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov reported on the results of his meetings in the United States. The meetings took place both at the political level and at the technological level – with American companies. The U.S. remains engaged in the diplomatic process. It is clear that the war in Iran is now drawing the greatest attention from America and the U.S. President, but there is a priority there, as well as the support of the American people: to end this war in Europe too.
And it is Russia’s war that is having a global impact on technological change – on the fierce development of the technology of warfare itself. Because of this Russian aggression, killings have become more large-scale, and threats more dangerous – especially everything related to drones. Many partners understand this – 20 countries are already working with Ukraine at various levels to conclude Drone Deals with us. We have already reached political arrangements with some countries – contracts with manufacturers will follow, and our military expertise is already yielding results. We will soon sign political agreements with some other countries. We have also begun preparations for such an agreement – the Drone Deal – with Canada. This is a very significant expansion of our security cooperation. Both on the American track and in Europe, we are doing our best so that we can produce enough anti-ballistic missiles here in Ukraine or jointly with partners. This is our constant task – additional missiles for air defense. And the best option, of course, is to produce them ourselves or together with those who can quickly ramp up production and stay at the required technological level. This is one of the most difficult tasks – a strategic task for Ukraine: to produce all types of air defense, all the necessary weapons systems, in Ukraine or together with Europe.
Today, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was in Ukraine. We spoke, in particular, about the possibilities for joint weapons production – we are already making drones together with Germany, and we will expand this area of work. I am grateful to Germany for its air defense assistance – this is truly leadership-level support, and we appreciate it. It is also important that there is substantial assistance in the energy sector. We very much count on additional deliveries of energy equipment from Germany. We are also preparing for work at the E3 level – the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. This is a format we need – a format Ukraine needs.
And one more point.
Our Ukrainian military command and the Ministry of Defense continue preparing the army reform – the innovations we need. We're planning to start in June. We need to complete the details of the changes, all the necessary decisions, and the provision of resources in time. In June, we also expect the first tranches from the European support package for Ukraine – EUR 90 billion over two years. It is in June that these funds must begin working for Ukraine’s resilience. Government officials are now working actively with the European Commission to ensure there are no delays. Our internal resilience and strong foreign policy work are the foundation of our protection, the foundation of our defense.
I want to thank everyone working for Ukraine. I thank everyone who is helping us! I thank everyone who is fighting and defending our state.
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. The defense of Ukraine, Ukraine’s independence, and security for our people are what matters most.
Glory to Ukraine!