I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
Briefly about today. First, I am grateful to our warriors for their precision – the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces and other components of our defense. There are results from our long-range sanctions. In particular, in the Caspian Sea region – against a missile ship capable of launching Kalibrs. There was also a strike in the Perm region – against an oil industry facility – more than 1,500 kilometers from our state border. There were other strikes as well. According to our intelligence, the results of our responses in the Bryansk sector, in Tuapse, and against some of Russia’s special oil facilities are satisfactory for us. Ukraine has proposed a ceasefire to Russia – and this is by no means the first such proposal from Ukraine – this time calling for a ceasefire starting on May 6. 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. They want Ukraine’s permission to hold their parade – so they can safely take to the square for an hour once a year, and then go back to killing our people and waging war. The Russians are already talking about strikes after May 9. A strange and certainly twisted logic from the Russian leadership. There are also messages from some states close to Russia that their representatives intend to be in Moscow. An odd desire at a time like this. We do not recommend it.
Over the course of this day alone, the Russians struck along the entire perimeter of our state defense line – from Chernihiv region to Mykolaiv region. There were strikes on trains – ordinary civilian trains, with no military purpose whatsoever. The Russians also struck energy facilities and ordinary residential buildings, again and again. Ukraine’s position is as transparent and honest as possible: Ukraine will act in kind. If there had been a ceasefire, there would have been no Ukrainian long-range sanctions.
The second important point for today: we are continuing negotiations with envoys of the President of the United States – with Witkoff and Kushner. Umerov will speak with them today. There are three tasks. Humanitarian issues – we really hope we can make the exchanges happen, and this is important. Next is the reinvigoration of the diplomatic process with Russia. Although over there in Russia they are only thinking about strikes, we are thinking about bringing peace closer. The war in Europe must be ended – the largest full-scale war since World War II. Tomorrow, the world will mark the anniversary of the end of the war in Europe in May 1945. The best way to honor the memory of all those who then fought against fascism and prevailed would, of course, be peace in Europe. Just as eighty-one years ago, America today can help bring peace through its just and strong position against the aggressor. And it is important that the American people see Russia exactly this way now – as an aggressor. One more component of our negotiations with envoys of the U.S. President is security arrangements that can strengthen our defense of life. We discussed with our diplomatic team the tasks for working with partners in May – and these are significant matters. Air defense is a priority. Ukraine’s resilience is a priority. Support for our people is a priority.
Glory to Ukraine!