Fellow Ukrainians!
A brief update for today. I want to thank our warriors who are defending Ukrainian positions and destroying the occupier. The Ukrainian Defense Forces have thwarted the Russian strategic offensive operation that the enemy had planned for this March. And although the attacks are constant and assaults continue, the intensity of the assaults and the scale of the confrontation are not what the Russians had planned and what their command had promised the political leadership of Russia. This is important because our strength at the front is the strength of absolutely all Ukrainian positions, our communication with the world, our diplomacy, and the world’s ability to stand with us – whatever the challenges may be.
I am grateful to every one of our units in the Donetsk sector, to all those defending Ukraine in the Kharkiv region and in the border areas of the Sumy region. The Zaporizhzhia sector is important. The Russians are trying to build up their forces there, but we are destroying those forces. I thank our Airborne Assault Forces and all other components of the Defense Forces of Ukraine: the infantry, all unmanned units, artillery, intelligence, special operations forces, the forces of the National Guard and the National Police, which are also involved. Thank you. I spoke today with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi – there is much to commend the Ukrainian warriors for. Well done, guys.
We spoke today with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko about implementing the resilience plans for our regions that have been approved and must be fully implemented. The Government is working to ensure that the financial resources are fully available for this as well. And much of it depends on partners. That is why sanctions against Russia are so important. Support packages are important. And European decisions – including the €90 billion in support that has already been approved – must work. Europe’s word must work. So that, regardless of the diplomatic situation or any challenges in the world, our regions are ready for the next winter exactly as the previous winter taught us to be. At the same time, the responsibility of regional authorities and every community must also be taken pretty seriously, and at the level of the Government we are ready to help as much as possible so that people are protected. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine, other central-level agencies, and our energy companies all have their share of responsibility. The key work is at the local level.
It is important that this year we also managed to implement pension indexation. This is significant – every year during the full-scale war, Ukraine ensures social payments. We also spoke with the Prime Minister about the launch of new support programs – additional payments for pensioners and people who need social protection will be provided in April. Exactly as we agreed with the Government.
In some of our regions, road repairs have already begun. I draw the attention of government officials and regional authorities in particular to the condition of roads near the frontline and in all those communities where the evacuation of the wounded and our military logistics take place. Defending the state is the first priority. The Russians are not preparing for peace. We must ensure complete protection – and that is exactly what we are doing.
Meanwhile, we are not postponing negotiations; no one is disappointed in diplomacy. This is not a matter of emotions, as some might say. It is a matter of what partners are ready for. Russia operates in a very simple way: if they are afraid, they’re willing to toe the line. If pressure on Russia is weakened, Russia thinks it has struck gold and can continue the war. That is why pressure on the aggressor is the key to peace, real diplomacy, and real agreements. Today, I gave new instructions to Rustem Umerov. He is in constant communication with the American side, 24/7. This week we will also work with our partners in Europe so that Ukraine has greater capabilities to defend itself, and our partners are more willing to support us – to support Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who is helping us!
Glory to Ukraine!