Fellow Ukrainians!
First – energy. Today, all regions where the situation is currently particularly difficult were on the coordination call. These are essentially the central regions of Ukraine, as well as border communities with Russia where shelling and hostilities are constant. In the Dnipro region – and especially in Nikopol – power transmission lines were damaged as a result of shelling. In the Pavlohrad district and in other communities close to the frontline, Russian strikes are continuing, including damage to local infrastructure and local energy facilities. In the Dnipro region and in Zaporizhzhia, Ukrzaliznytsia – our logistics – was once again hit. However, we are maintaining interregional connectivity and keeping our transport links operational. It is important that today, throughout the day, there were no missile strikes or “shaheds” targeting infrastructure, and this demonstrates that when the United States has the motive to really change the situation, the situation can change.
Our team continues working with the American side so that real decisions for the sake of peace can be scaled up. Today, there was a meeting with our delegation – the guys are already en route. The meetings will take place on Wednesday and Thursday. And not only in a trilateral format, but we will also have our own bilateral format with the United States. There are issues to be agreed upon; there is substance that requires further work. On security guarantees – we are ready. On Ukraine’s recovery and further development – government officials are working, and our teams are actively engaged. It is important that during this time the United States also decisively supports dialogue – all available opportunities for dialogue – and works with the Russian side accordingly, so that Russian strikes and Russian terror do not derail what can be achieved.
Today, I want to thank all our repair crews, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, municipal services that are truly working for people, and the energy companies involved. The work continues 24/7 – around the clock. I instructed the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, together with regional authorities and community leaders, to maximize the number of assistance points and warming centers in the regions so that, during this period of extremely cold weather, everyone is prepared for any possible developments.
Today, I spoke with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen – I would like to express gratitude for her support. I informed Ursula about the current situation – and there will be a new energy support package from the European Union for Ukraine, including generators. Thank you very much, Ursula – thank you, and thanks to colleagues. We are preparing new formats of cooperation with the European Union, including financing hot meals in schools in Ukraine. We have reached agreements, and we expect that everything will be successfully implemented. Work is also ongoing in Europe on new sanctions against Russia for this war – sanctions that are not merely punitive, but that can also limit Russia’s ability to wage war. We are doing everything to make diplomacy work, but it is Russia that must abandon the war.
And one more point.
Ukraine supports peoples who value freedom and are truly willing to fight for it. The whole world sees what is happening in Iran, the scale of the killings and how the Iranian regime has invested heavily in spreading war and violence across the region and the world. Ukraine will not forget a single one of the thousands of “shaheds” that have struck our cities and villages, our people. We see that, on the issue of Iran, others in Europe have heard us, Ukraine, those Europeans who called for greater engagement and a more principled stance, and the Iranians themselves. The European Union has practically agreed on a decision to designate one of the main organizations of the regime in Iran as terrorist – the so-called Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. European procedures are currently underway. In Ukraine, we have already adopted such a decision and designated this organization as terrorist. For us, this issue is closed. All terrorists in the world deserve the same treatment and condemnation – none should prevail. Thank you to everyone who helps protect lives! Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine!
Glory to Ukraine!
