Dear Ukrainians!
A few important updates from today. Together with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, we spoke to the Commander of the Air Force about the situation in several of our cities and communities near the front line – about the almost constant shelling there. The situation in Kherson is especially difficult – the Russians have essentially organized a safari-like hunt for civilians there. Protection must be significantly strengthened: more interceptors, more electronic warfare systems, and more of our crews are needed right there in the city.
There was also a briefing from the team responsible for regional policy – Deputy Prime Minister Kuleba and Deputy Head of the Office Mykyta. We are partially responding to the challenges in the occupied territory of the Kherson region: in Oleshky and in the villages of the region. The situation in this specific part of the occupied territory is extremely difficult. It is very hard to evacuate people. And it is important that international organizations – all those who can help – are involved and active. We discussed the details of this process. I am grateful to everyone who is working to help – our partners, the regional authorities of the Kherson region, the Ombudsman, and the Government team.
Of course, today saw our long-range sanctions – sanctions against Russia for its strikes on Ukraine. In particular, targets belonging to Russia’s gas industry in the Orenburg region, more than 1,500 kilometers away from Ukraine. Ukraine has said that we will act symmetrically in response to Russia. We have offered silence. Unfortunately, after a relative pause of three days, there are again “shahed” strikes and renewed aerial bombings. Frontline activity remains high. So we respond. And we continue working with our partners to force a path toward diplomacy – and toward peace, however difficult that may be.
Today, I want to thank our European partners. A meeting was held at the level of National Security Advisors. We are steadily advancing the issue of anti-ballistic capabilities production in Europe – we are forming an anti-ballistic coalition. This is something worth doing, and right now we are closer to a result than ever before. Thirteen countries and the Office of the NATO Secretary General were represented at today’s meeting on anti-ballistic solutions. This is a very important initiative. Overall, Ukraine’s positions right now – on the frontline, in our long-range sanctions, and in our joint results with partners – are the strongest they have been in years. We must maintain this level and deliver results. That is exactly what we are doing. And every challenge we face, everything we go through, must lead to one outcome – that we all, in one way or another, help Ukraine, strengthen our defense, and make our shared foreign policy positions stronger. There are no individual victories, and there is no resilience in isolation. We must reach the main goal – and this is our shared goal, one we do not give up: we do not cede our land or our sovereignty. I am grateful to all Ukrainians who walk this path together. Ukraine must withstand this war, defend its independence, and guarantee security for its people. And it certainly will.
Glory to Ukraine!