I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!
There are several important points worth mentioning today. First, we continue working every day specifically so that the next round of negotiations can deliver results for Ukraine, deliver results for peace. Ukraine will definitely do whatever is needed for this and will by no means stand in the way of peace.
Last time in Geneva, the American side clearly saw that it is precisely the Russians who are the reason no truly meaningful results had yet been achieved. And the next meeting must not be a wasted opportunity – it can be done.
We discussed today with Rustem Umerov some aspects of negotiation preparations. And I am grateful to everyone who is genuinely ready to help and who supports us – supports our state. My meetings with European partners are also already scheduled for next week. We will coordinate in detail so that Europe is involved in all processes and grows only stronger. I also instructed Rustem to work more closely with our friends in the Middle East and Türkiye, so that they also feel invested and can help more.
I also spoke today with Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO. In many respects, we share common views on the diplomatic process and on the situation in Europe. Thank you, Mark.
The second important point. I want to commend the efforts of the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police, and the Office of the Prosecutor General – they neutralized Russian mercenaries preparing assassination attempts against our citizens. These were rather high-profile names, and preventing such crimes is a substantial result.
There were reports from Oleksandr Poklad. And this is yet another front in the ongoing protection of Ukraine’s security, the safety of Ukrainians, and the constant defense of the lives of our people – the way our Ukrainian special services, our law enforcement, and our intelligence neutralize Russian criminal activity against Ukrainians. They were preparing attacks against Ukrainian military personnel, Ukrainian intelligence officers, and Ukrainian media workers. It is important that all our Ukrainian special services and law enforcement continue to protect Ukrainian citizens in exactly this coordinated way.
And one more thing. Today, Ukraine has introduced new sanctions against the captains of vessels involved in transporting Russian oil – 225 captains. And we will continue to consistently impose sanctions and make them global against everyone who helps Russia earn money for war.
Many around the world support us, and often it is Ukrainian proposals that form the basis of partners’ sanctions. We very much count, in particular, that the next sanctions package of the European Union takes into account what is needed for real pressure on Russia over this war – for truly restricting Russia’s ability to wage it.
This includes, among other things, a ban on maritime services for vessels used by Russia. Europe should come to this. And this is something that could become a significant incentive from Europe for Russia to finally move from war to diplomacy – to real diplomacy. The war must be brought to an end.
I want to thank everyone who helps us! Thank you!
Glory to Ukraine!
