President of Ukraine

Speeches

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police, and the Security Service of Ukraine will present further details to the public. Today I also instructed that measures and response procedures be developed to prevent similar crimes. Our law enforcement agencies already have certain experience in countering this. Dozens of similar situations have been prevented. Ukrainian law enforcement officials constantly counter such recruitment efforts. 

Last time in Geneva, the American side clearly saw that it is precisely the Russians who are the reason no truly meaningful results had yet been achieved. And the next meeting must not be a wasted opportunity – it can be done. We discussed today with Rustem Umerov some aspects of negotiation preparations.

Today, all members of our negotiating team will already be in Ukraine, and I have scheduled a special meeting with them for tomorrow regarding our next steps and decisions.

I am also grateful to our warriors on the frontline, who carry out active operations and replenish the exchange fund for us, for Ukraine.

We do not need war. And we always act symmetrically – we are defending our state and our independence.

Right now everyone is awaiting the continuation of the trilateral meetings. Our delegation is already in Geneva and preparing for the negotiations. Russia cannot resist the temptation of the last days of winter cold and wants to inflict painful blows on Ukrainians. The more of this evil comes from Russia, the harder it will be for everyone to reach any agreements with them.

The key priority is missiles for air defense, for protection against ballistic missiles. This has been issue number one throughout this entire winter, as you know. That is why we discussed it in Munich with virtually every leader who can truly help us.

Our unity is the best interceptor against Russia’s aggressive plans. The best one. And we still have it. And I want to thank you, each of you who keeps unity alive – and makes it stronger.

They only complicate everything and undermine what are, frankly, already limited diplomatic opportunities. That is exactly why support for Ukraine is needed. Sufficient pressure on Russia is needed. The war must be ended with guaranteed security and definitely without any rewards for the aggressor for the war.

Today I had a long discussion with military officials – the Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of the General Staff, and the Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Many changes are underway in our air defense operations.