Fellow Ukrainians!
All day today there have been briefings from the Government and all services that are effectively working around the clock to deal with the consequences of the Russian strikes. In Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia regions, after the attack on infrastructure, the situation with electricity and essential services was extremely difficult. All necessary resources have been deployed. I am grateful to all repair crews, municipal services, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and all energy companies – work continues nonstop. In Zaporizhzhia region, power supply was restored according to schedule earlier today. Restoration work continues in Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Nikopol, Pavlohrad, and other cities and communities of the Dnipro region. There were, unfortunately, new strikes today as well – specifically against the energy infrastructure and against the civilian sector. In Kryvyi Rih, residential buildings were hit. There is information that another massive Russian attack may happen tonight. It is very important to pay attention to air alerts today and tomorrow and to always go to shelters. The Russians haven’t changed one bit. They are trying to exploit the weather. I instructed the Government to assist local authorities and everyone involved to the maximum. Together with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, we reviewed reports from the regions – not all of the reports were accurate. There will be conclusions. I dispatched the Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration to Dnipro so that he can personally oversee the work and promptly resolve issues related to assistance. Maximum efforts are being made to restore supply.
Across many of our regions, weather conditions have significantly worsened, causing serious problems on the roads and with utilities. In practice, this is an emergency situation for all services. And we agreed with the Prime Minister of Ukraine that the Government will prepare a decision – for the period of such weather conditions, in the coming days – to allow non-critical institutions and regular offices to keep people at home. Also, in coordination with local authorities, parameters for the operation of schools in such conditions must be defined for this week and next week. Today, documents regarding new heads of four regions have already been prepared. I signed the corresponding decrees. In the near future, the leaders will be presented – Poltava, Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia, and Dnipro regions. As for the Ternopil region – a candidate was also agreed upon today. And overall, we will continue making personnel decisions.
I spoke with Rustem Umerov. The negotiating team is returning to Ukraine. I am expecting a report with all the details, including those that cannot be discussed over the phone. There were different formats of meetings – both with the American team and with the European team. We believe the security guarantees agreement with the United States is ready to be signed at the highest level. Importantly, in a trilateral format we discussed the documents on Ukraine’s recovery and economic development – Ukraine, the United States, and Europe. They are almost ready. We also worked in a very substantive manner on the main political document, and on our side there was full constructiveness. The American team needs to receive a response from Russia – what they are ready for and whether they are truly willing to end the war. We believe that only pressure will resolve this – pressure on Russia, and only if it is sufficient. Right now, Russia is betting more on winter than on diplomacy – on ballistic missiles against our energy system rather than on working with the United States and agreements with President Trump. This must change – through pressure on Russia and continued support for Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who sees the situation for what it is. Thank you to everyone who stands with us, with our people, with Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who helps our people.
Glory to Ukraine!
