I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
We are now preparing for a very intense week – a week of diplomacy. We can accomplish a lot if our partners hear us and support proposals that truly bring the end of the war closer. It will be the week of the UN General Assembly – with various events and meetings. The schedule already includes nearly two dozen meetings with leaders from different countries, from all parts of the world – with everyone who has long supported Ukraine and those who are among our new partners. The first meetings are already tomorrow. We are also planning a meeting with the President of the United States this week. There will be an important event on the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia – a truly global summit on this issue. It is vital that this week strengthen the world’s resolve for robust action – for without strength, peace will not prevail.
The European Union has already agreed in principle on the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, and we expect its swift adoption. In recent weeks, other countries – from Japan and Australia to the United Kingdom – have also imposed sanctions. Pressure on Russia’s oil fleet, on Russia’s energy trade. Pressure on all of Russia’s sanction-evasion schemes – including through cryptocurrency. I thank Europe for this pressure. I am confident: there must be a step from the United States. Putin must believe that the United States does care, and that strong action will follow.
