Fellow Ukrainians!
A brief summary of the day. A meeting with the military and the Minister of Defense. The front was the key issue. We identified additional organizational decisions and the necessary resources to strengthen the capabilities of our units in the Slovyansk sector, in Kostiantynivka, and in the Pokrovsk area. It is very important that experienced commanders have greater capabilities to act – there will be decisions at the level of corps and groups of forces. I also approved the first set of personnel appointments that we discussed with Mykhailo Drapatyi. Five decisions have already been made, and there will be more. We continue our long-range operations. There was a report on the results for the first half of August. The priorities for deep strikes through September have already been set. Yevhenii Khmara and I discussed additional funding, additional capabilities, and additional hits Ukraine needs. Beyond kinetic sanctions – our long-range operations – we are also working across all other sanctions tracks. Today, we coordinated with the intelligence agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the special services on when and from which partners we expect new sanctions packages in those areas that can limit Russia’s active military capabilities. Certain items critical to Russia’s aggression are still supplied to Russia even from G7 member states that certainly have no interest in Putin prolonging the war and increasing the scale of the strikes. All our partners should understand what depends on them and how every sanctions step contributes to bringing peace closer and saving lives.
And a few more points.
We are working with the team to make new prisoner exchanges happen. We hope to see results soon. We also spoke with Ihor Klymenko – a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council will be held shortly to address the situation we unfortunately have on Ukrainian roads. Another completely reckless incident occurred in the capital today – a speeding car collided with another vehicle and veered onto the sidewalk. The person behind the wheel, frankly, should have lost the right to drive a long time ago. There have been petitions about the situation on the roads, as well as appeals – including from Oleksii Hlushych, the father of a 12-year-old boy who was killed in a traffic accident. We need to increase accountability for those who systematically violate traffic rules and show disregard for human life. What is needed is not cosmetic changes to the rules and penalties, but effective steps. I expect the NSDC Secretary to involve MPs, civil society organizations, and all the necessary state institutions in preparing the appropriate changes. We must protect every life and create conditions in which life is genuinely protected. I thank everyone who cares about our country and our people!
Glory to Ukraine!