Real Protection Is Needed Against This Russian Case History of Madness, and We Will Continue Now Working With All Partners to Ensure That Protection Is in Place – Address by[...]

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Dear Ukrainians!

A brief update on today.

First of all, reports from our regions. Wherever necessary, restoration efforts continue around the clock. This is often heroic work by our repair crews, our power engineers, engaged utility services, and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, especially in areas near the Russian border and along the front line. Everywhere, work is underway to restore electricity for our people and our communities. It is crucial that there are no gaps in these efforts. Local and regional authorities must not overlook a single street or village. The work must be prompt everywhere, and accountability is personal.

And now I'd like to commend our first responders - the personnel of the State Emergency Service, especially in the south of Ukraine, where a lot of work must be done following recent Russian strikes. In the Odesa region, particularly Yurii Afanasiev, Ruslan Bobok, Yevhen Bielchenko, Vitalii Burlak, Vitalii Hrytsak, Serhii Liepshyi, Oleksii Maloman, Andrii Mandziuk, Serhii Morozov, and Oleksandr Semenov. Thank you, guys, and all your colleagues in Odesa and the region! Also, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Mykolaiv region, including Oleksandr Babii, Vladyslav Vozniuk, Dmytro Zarvanskyi, Andrii Kravchenko, and Volodymyr Krytskyi. I thank you and your colleagues! Every our region, every city, every community must be able to rely on the full effectiveness of emergency services, energy companies, and every government institution. The Ukrainian government must provide maximum support, and we are ensuring resources for this, including through our work with partners.

Ukrainian diplomacy has two priorities: working for Ukraine's defense and working for our resilience. These two elements actually underpin the protection of independence and the right of Ukrainians to live, and this is exactly what Russia is waging war against.

Today, we again heard signals from Moscow that they are preparing to make next year a year of war. And these signals are not only for us. It is crucial that our partners see them, and not only see them but also respond - especially partners in the United States, who often say that Russia wants to end the war. Yet the rhetoric and signals coming from Russia are the exact opposite, taking the form of official orders to their army. This Russian mindset must be recognized - and acted upon. And when they are in this very mindset, they will also undermine diplomacy - seeking, through various diplomatic language and pressure over specific points in documents - to merely mask their desire to destroy Ukraine and Ukrainians, and the desire to legitimize Russia's theft of our land. And then come other countries in Europe, which someone in Russia might one day label their so-called "historical lands." Real protection is needed against this Russian case history of madness, and we will continue now working with all partners to ensure that protection is in place. Security measures are needed, financial measures are needed - including actions on Russian assets - political measures are needed. And the courage of all partners is required: to see the truth, acknowledge the truth, and act accordingly. I want to thank everyone who supports Ukraine and efforts to achieve security in precisely this way.

Tomorrow, European leaders are meeting in Brussels. It will be a very important meeting. The outcome of this meeting - the result Europe produces - must make Russia feel that its desire to continue the war next year is pointless, because Ukraine will have support. This rests entirely with Europe; Europe must make this choice. We also expect our representatives to continue discussions and meetings with the U.S. team this week on steps that can work for peace and guaranteed security. I thank everyone who stands with us, who stands with Ukraine! I thank everyone defending our state!

Glory to Ukraine!