I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!
Today, I held a meeting of the Staff.
The report by Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi focused on the front and on our operation in the Kursk region. Importantly, our combat brigades are holding their positions as steadily as possible. There were reports from the intelligence services. The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine – Budanov. The Foreign Intelligence Service – Ivashchenko. We discussed in great detail, and even with some emotion, the issue of drone production and drone supply to all elements of our Defense and Security Forces. We also addressed today the production of missiles, electronic warfare systems, and relevant cooperation with partners. The reports were presented by Umerov, Sybiha, Fedorov, the military, the Security Service of Ukraine – Maliuk. It was a really detailed conversation. The main point is not just to secure contracts and funding for them, but also to ensure the speed of real production and real delivery. And the energy issue – it was a significant part of today's Staff meeting. There were reports by Prime Minister Shmyhal and Minister of Energy Galushchenko on the physical protection of facilities and the real situation with restoration. We also discussed the threat we now see from Russia to our energy generation. We will counter it.
The energy issue was also discussed in detail with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Her today's visit has contributed to the sensitive support of Ukraine. There is a new package for our energy sector from the European Union – EUR 160 million. There is also an agreement to increase electricity imports to Ukraine, which will undoubtedly support our state, our people in difficult situations. We discussed with Ursula the steps that will help us preserve at least a quarter of our generation. Of course, we also talked about our political interaction with the European Union – we have to speed up the process of accession negotiations and preparation of the respective parts of the future agreement. There is an important decision by Ursula on European support for our Ukrainian school meals program. So, in everything from defense to social issues, we have really good results. Ursula, thank you!
And one more thing.
We are actively preparing for negotiations in the US – this includes President Biden, representatives of both parties in Congress, and we expect to meet with both presidential candidates of the United States. In Ukraine, we will always be grateful to the USA for supporting our independence – for all the assistance provided to help Ukraine withstand this war. And now we are going to present a very concrete Plan on how Ukraine can not only endure this war, not only maintain the level of resistance as it is now, but also grow stronger at this very moment – grow stronger in a way that will really bring us closer to a just peace, really bring us closer to victory. Ukraine is counting very heavily on this support. And rightly so. Because when one nation wins the fight for its independence and respect for international law, the whole world wins. This is exactly how it should be.
I thank everyone who stands with us, who stands with Ukraine!
Glory to Ukraine!