Dear Ukrainians!
Briefly about this day. I want to thank our soldiers who are defending Ukrainian positions, destroying the occupier. The Ukrainian Defense Forces thwarted the Russian strategic offensive operation that the enemy planned for this March. And although the attacks are constant, the assaults continue, but the intensity of the assaults, the scale of the confrontation is not what was planned by the Russians and promised by their command to the political leadership of Russia. This is important, because our strength at the front is the strength of absolutely all Ukrainian positions, our communication with the world, our diplomacy, the ability of the world to be with us, whatever the challenges.
I am grateful to each of our units in the Donetsk direction, to everyone who defends Ukraine in the Kharkiv region, in the border region of Sumy region. The Zaporizhzhia direction is important. The Russians are trying to increase their forces there, but we are destroying their forces. I thank our DSHV, all other components of the Defense Forces of Ukraine: infantry, all unmanned units, artillery, intelligence, special forces, National Guard and National Police forces, who are also involved. I thank you. I spoke today with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi - there is something to commend Ukrainian soldiers for. Well done, guys.
We spoke today with Prime Minister Yulia Svirydenko about the implementation of resilience plans for our regions, which were approved and must be fully implemented. The government is working to ensure that there is full financial resources for this. And this largely depends on our partners. That is why sanctions against Russia are so important. Support packages are important. And European decisions - including those on 90 billion euros of support - that have already been adopted must work. The word of Europe must work. So that regardless of the diplomatic situation, any challenges in the world, our regions are ready for the next winter, just as last winter taught us. At the same time, the responsibility of regional authorities and each community must also be serious enough, and at the government level we are ready to help as much as possible so that people are protected. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine, other structures at the central level, and our energy companies have their share of responsibility. The key work is on the ground.
It is important that we managed to implement the indexation of pensions this year. This is significant - every year during a full-scale war, Ukraine provides social payments. We have now spoken with the Prime Minister about the launch of new support programs: additional payments for pensioners and people in need of social protection will be provided in April. Exactly as we agreed with the government.
Road repairs have already started in some of our regions, and I draw the attention of government officials and regional authorities in particular to the condition of roads near the front and in all those communities where the evacuation of the wounded and our military logistics are carried out. The defense of the state is the first priority. The Russians are not preparing for peace. We must ensure one hundred percent protection - and we are doing it.
We are not postponing negotiations, no one is disappointed in diplomacy. This is not a matter of emotions, as someone might say somewhere. This is a matter of what partners are ready for. Russia functions very simply: if they are afraid, they are ready to keep themselves within limits. If the pressure on Russia is weakened, Russia thinks that it is lucky and that it can supposedly continue to fight. That is why pressure on the aggressor is the key to peace, to real diplomacy and to real agreements. Today I gave new instructions to Rustem Umerov - he communicates constantly with the American side, 24/7. Also, this week we will work with our partners in Europe so that Ukraine has more, more defense capabilities, and the partners are more willing to support us, to support Ukraine. I thank everyone who helps us!
Glory to Ukraine!