Fellow Ukrainians!
Diplomacy has been very active these days. There is a lot of support for Ukraine. Today, I have already spoken with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of Finland Alex Stubb, Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. There were also talks today with representatives of the United States Congress. I would like to thank everyone for their clear understanding of what is happening.
Yesterday, I also spoke with the British Prime Minister – thank you, Andy, for your support. I spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, and Emmanuel is ready to help us, help Ukraine. I spoke with Norway’s Prime Minister, Jonas – a great friend of Ukraine.
There will be meetings and formats this week to consolidate support and coordinate with other European leaders. There will be support packages for Ukraine, for Ukrainians. Everyone in Europe – many of our partners – feels that strong steps are needed now. We are working separately and very substantively with the European Union to resolve financial issues first and foremost – for the sake of our defense and budget stability. We are preparing decisions. We are also preparing new steps in European integration. This provides significant political and moral support. I thank Ursula and all European leaders for their assistance.
And as for the United States. Of course, we in Ukraine are maintaining contact with America at all levels. I thank all Americans who have supported us, Ukraine, throughout all these years of war and who want Russia to fail in its attempt to destroy us, our independence and ruin the lives of other nations as well. Our position has always been as transparent and honest as possible – Ukraine never wanted this war, not even for a single second, let alone five years of full-scale war, and we are ready to take all necessary steps to end it. It is only logical to establish a ceasefire and stop the war. It is only logical to guarantee security so that the war cannot return.
Today, there was a statement from the President of the United States that an energy ceasefire has been secured. This is good news for everyone – and it is important that it become reality. Ukraine supports all genuine and reliable formats for a ceasefire and an end to the war. Ukraine is ready to refrain from striking Russian energy infrastructure – and we count on the same readiness from Russia, as well as on the agreement reached by the President of the United States on this matter. We welcome such an agreement.
Unfortunately, Ukrainian skies have been infested with Russian “shaheds” all day today. There are “shaheds” in the skies right now, too. Unfortunately, there have been glide bomb strikes. There have been strikes on our energy infrastructure. Just now, there was a strike on CHP-5 in Kharkiv – on Kharkiv’s energy infrastructure.
Overall, this past week alone, the Russians have carried out more than 200 strikes on our electricity generation and transmission facilities in Ukraine, and another 17 strikes this week targeted gas and oil facilities here in Ukraine. In this one week alone, the Russians have killed more than 150 of our people, and more than 700 people have been wounded.
Ukraine has proposed many de-escalatory steps. Putin had one answer to all of them – “nyet.” We do hope that he will finally say something different to America, Ukraine, and the entire world. Something other than killings and deception. Something that will lead to a real and dignified peace. Ukraine wants peace. The question is whether Russia does.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have received all the appropriate orders. We are defending Ukraine. We are fighting for support for Ukraine. We support all steps by our partners that can help us. We are awaiting clear details of the dialogue between America and Russia – and we expect Putin to follow through on what President Trump said. I thank our warriors and everyone around the world who stands with us, with Ukraine!
Glory to Ukraine!