I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!
I have just spoken with our European friends – the United Kingdom, France, Germany – the E3 format. By the end of the week, there may be an update on U.S. readiness. And of course, a lot depends on how the situation with Iran develops – America is focused on that. We are doing everything to intensify our diplomatic efforts and bring the war closer to an end. This is our top priority – an obvious one. Ukraine always works to secure Europe a seat at the negotiating table and ensure that the European voice is taken into account. The question is how exactly we will bring the situation to a peace that is reliable and dignified. We agreed on a meeting at the level of our NSAs.
I briefed Emmanuel, Keir, and Friedrich on the situation in Ukraine and our defense. I am grateful for their high assessment of our positions and the achievements of Ukrainian warriors. Indeed, Ukraine’s positions are stronger now than in previous years. Since the beginning of the year, 590 square kilometers of our territory have been liberated and brought under our control. The trend is certainly not in the occupier’s favor. We continue to increase the rate at which Russian personnel are being eliminated, and together with sanctions in all their forms, this is forcing Russia toward diplomacy. I provided detailed information available to our intelligence on Russia's plans – both military and political. We must now do everything to reinvigorate diplomacy. I am also awaiting a response from the American side on possible formats and a meeting schedule.
There was also a briefing today from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi. Our long-range sanctions – we continue to achieve our set objectives inside Russia, and these primarily concern Russian oil refining and its oil export capacity. In the past 24 hours, an oil refinery was targeted in Yaroslavl, 700 kilometers from our border. We continue our long-range operations. It is important that our frontline positions are also strong, with good results on key fronts in particular. I am grateful to all our Airborne Assault Forces and our assault troops. I am grateful to all units that are effectively repelling Russian assaults. I also thank everyone who supports our army and our Security Forces.
And today I am here in our beautiful Rivne region. I want to thank all our communities across three regions – Rivne, Zhytomyr, and Volyn. Today, we spoke with community leaders, including about the defense of this northern direction, given the existing threats. Yesterday we met with communities in the Chernihiv and Kyiv regions, and today with this part of our country as well. No direction will be left without attention. Many social issues have been discussed, and a wide range of education-related matters – school transport, roads to ensure access to schools, and the construction of new schools. Government officials were present online and heard everything. I expect them to respond in a substantive and prompt way. I am counting on concrete decisions.
I thank everyone who works for our state and everyone who defends Ukraine, their own community, as they would defend themselves. A meaningful day. Thank you, Rivne region!
And dear Rivne region, today I also visited our warriors here – I presented awards to our guys, wounded warriors who are recovering right here. One of them is from Mariupol – Maksym – who gave me this patch here. With a clear wish: for Ukraine to return to Mariupol, to return to all its land. And we very much want it to be that way. I thank all our warriors, our defenders!
Glory to Ukraine!