I wish you health, dear Ukrainians!

Now I am in our beautiful St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, and it is here that our new, but already established, tradition is to accept credentials. Ambassadors who come to Ukraine, who begin their journey here, officially begin it here. And this has been the case since 2022. A special rule is that everyone who works with Ukraine should see and know what kind of country we are, what kind of history we have, how much depends on Ukraine and what it means, and that Russia will never steal it. Today I accepted credentials from the ambassadors of Germany, Norway, and the Czech Republic. Our strong partners. We communicated. I thanked them for their clear support for Ukraine, our independence, and our sovereignty. European positions are becoming stronger, and every year we add opportunities to Europe. All of us add together. Thanks to unity, thanks to our joint projects. I thank each partner.

This week brought closer the agreement on the 19th package of sanctions against Russian aggression, we are waiting for approval. We are quickly synchronizing the package in Ukraine. Russia's energy resources are limited. Also the infrastructure of the shadow fleet: there will be new pressure. Also the cryptocurrency schemes that the Russians use precisely to circumvent sanctions: Europe will counteract. Thank you.

Thank you for taking into account the Ukrainian proposals for the EU sanctions package in many respects. We are constantly working on this with each of our partners, and, of course, first of all with the European Union and also with the Group of Seven. We expect strong sanctions steps from the United States of America as well - Europe is doing its part.

Today I also signed decrees on the application of new sanctions on Ukraine. I signed three packages of sanctions. In particular, against propagandists who help Russia, against various individuals who do business in the occupied territory and fill the Russian budget, support this evil system, as well as against individuals who destabilize Moldova in the interests of Moscow. Ukraine helps Moldova, and we are interested in the stability of our neighbor - in the success of Moldova.

And a few more things. Today, the President's Office sent to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, with my signature, a law on the "Cross of Military Merit" - on a strong status for this award of ours, a combat award. These are both state guarantees and respect for our fallen soldiers. Since the establishment of this award, 331 Ukrainian soldiers have been awarded the "Cross of Military Merit". Strong soldiers. Thank you.

I want to thank our sky defenders today. There was another massive Russian strike. Almost 580 drones, a significant part of them are “shaheeds”. Another 40 missiles. Many hits. Drone interceptors worked well today, well done mobile fire groups, aviation – our F-16s, our army aviation. Thank you all, all well done. Thank you for every shot down. But there were still hits. Dnipro, Pavlohrad, other communities of the Dnipro region were among the Russian targets. We still need to strengthen our air defense system, and this depends largely on partners. And many have this power – the power that should protect life. It is worth using it.

Everyone now sees Russian intervention against Poland, and yesterday against Estonia, and these are not accidental things. The Russians will try to continue to spread their aggression, their destabilization, their intervention. Such is their system. We must counteract this. And also systematically. All together.

Thank you to everyone who is helping. Thank you to everyone who is with Ukraine. And we are already preparing for important meetings next week. In particular, with the President of the United States of America. Russia must feel the consequences of what it is doing.

Glory to Ukraine!