Dear Ukrainians!

Currently, work is underway in Kharkiv at the site of the strike on a residential building - a Russian strike. It was an ordinary high-rise building. As of now, it is known that ten people have died. Among the dead are children. A girl who was 13 years old, and a boy - he was nine. My condolences to the family and friends. Additionally, specialists from other regions have been involved to sort out the rubble - from Poltava and Sumy regions. They are looking for bodies under the rubble. A terrible blow. Also, 16 people were injured. Everyone is being provided with the necessary assistance. A massive strike, targeting civilians. In Kyiv and other regions, in particular, targeting energy facilities.

I spoke with President Macron today about this strike, about our need for air defense missiles, and about the fact that Ukraine needs to defend itself every day from Russian strikes, every night from "shaheeds" and missiles. This requires stability, support - the implementation of all agreements that have been reached and that are still largely on hold. Thank you Emmanuel, thank you to other leaders who are aware of the full level of dangers and do not play with the fate of people. There is still no progress on the 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia for this war. There is no movement on the 90 billion euro aid package for Ukraine. And although Europe recognizes that this is vital for us, the package is still blocked. We coordinated positions with Emmanuel on this, and in the coming days, in fact, the entire next week will be devoted to working together with the Europeans so that the solutions needed to protect Ukraine really work. I also thank every leader, every country that remembers the PURL program - the program that allows us to buy American missiles for air defense, for the "Patriots". We all understand the risks from strikes from Iran and the need for missiles for air defense in the Middle East as well. It is important that the protection of life is ensured here, in Ukraine. Especially since we see information about Russian assistance to the Iranian regime: there are reports that the Russians are providing intelligence to the regime in Iran to adjust strikes on Americans. There is also data about Russian components in the "Shaheeds" that are used in the Middle East, and this is against both Arab countries and against Americans in the region. Each such fact shows that we are dealing with regimes that are not just connected to each other, but that exist thanks to each other - the Russian and Iranian regimes - and kill in a practically coordinated manner both here, in Europe, and there, in the Middle East. That is why defense must be coordinated. Life in Europe, life in the Middle East deserve equally effective protection. We, for our part, are working to help protect against the "shaheeds." And we quite rightly expect that our defense will also be provided with appropriate assistance and that Russia will feel the consequences not only for prolonging this war of itss against us, but also for trying to scale up that war. Life needs protection - joint, strong, coordinated actions.

And one more thing.

I want to celebrate our Ukrainian Paralympians today. The first day of the competition – and already six Ukrainian medals: three gold, one silver and two bronze. And it is important that the Ukrainian flag and the Ukrainian anthem will now sound proudly and prominently in Italy – prominently, in particular, to those immoral sports functionaries who, during the war of aggression, allowed Russians to compete and allowed them to carry their flag - the flag of war. Life must be protected. The war must be ended. Thank you to everyone who helps Ukraine in this way, who cares about life and people in this way.

Glory to Ukraine!