I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
Today, the key point is that, together with all regions and government officials, we are reviewing the work on energy and infrastructure facilities. These are facilities that are critical for getting through the winter and that must be fully operational and reliably protected for the next heating season. We made it through this winter, and it was very difficult. I thank everyone who truly worked to help our people and overcome the consequences of Russian strikes. No one can say now what the situation will be next winter. We hope diplomacy will work, but we must be prepared for any scenario. That is why, for each of our regions, facilities have been identified that require special protection, as well as those that require priority restoration after the strikes this winter. All communities know the deadline. The schedule is tight. This also applies to alternative sources of electricity and heat supply, especially in cities like Kyiv, where much depends on centralized supply, which has always been a primary target for Russia. Building protection, preparing reserves, and ensuring sufficient supply of heat and electricity are tasks for all levels of government. Regional and local authorities have their share of responsibility and must treat this with full seriousness. Unfortunately, as of now, not all regions and communities are doing what is required, but we will monitor this as closely as possible to ensure that every region is prepared. The strength of Ukraine’s preparation, just like the strength of Ukraine’s defense, is an investment in the diplomatic process. Ukraine is not refusing negotiations. We remain in constant contact with all key partners. We are also in constant touch with the American side, both directly through our representatives and through friends of Ukraine who support diplomacy. Of course, we will keep trying to find a path that leads Russia to end this war. But whatever the course of events, Ukraine must enter the next winter fully prepared. Responsibility for this is personal for every leader. There are currently more than 400 new facilities in progress, and hundreds more require additional work after this winter. For every community, there must be a clear understanding of who is responsible for the preparations – from Kyiv to all regions.
Today, we also held very detailed discussions with the Chief of the General Staff, the Commander of the Air Force, and the Minister of Defense on countering “shaheds” and other strike drones. Especially in regions where the threat is very close: the Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions; the cities of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson; the Mykolaiv and Odesa regions; and the cities and communities of our Dnipro region. Production volumes of interceptors in the country must be sufficient to meet the existing demand. Today, we discussed the sectors and the cities where supply needs to be increased. We are also working to ensure that Ukraine scales up its ability to counter jet-powered “shaheds.” I want to thank all manufacturing companies that are offering the necessary solutions.
We also spoke with diplomats today about activities planned for April and the first weeks of May. We defined a format for working with the European Union to unblock the support package for Ukraine and to continue fully justified restrictions on Russia over the war. We see that the right changes in European policy are possible, and the relevant decisions must be prepared on the support package for Ukraine, on opening clusters, and on sanctions against Russia. The absence of new sanctions demoralizes the defenders of a united Europe and encourages Russia to continue this war and its aggression in general. Europe must not send signals of weakness. On Ukraine’s side, as we have said, we will continue to work in a fully constructive manner with each partner and with the European Union as a whole. We expect the same approach from our partners – decisions are needed. I have given the relevant instructions to our diplomats.
One more point. Today, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ruslan Kravchenko reported that sufficient evidence has been gathered and that the two patrol police officers who failed to protect people during Saturday’s attack in Kyiv have already been notified of suspicion. The patrol unit responded to a call about gunfire and saw what was happening – they saw the wounded, a child, and other civilians at the scene. The patrol officers should have done everything to stop the killer. But they fled. There must be accountability. I expect that the next procedural steps regarding them will not be delayed. All police response protocols, training standards, and rules on the use of weapons to protect people must be revised so that this never happens again. Security must be ensured for everyone.
Glory to Ukraine!
