As of now, the number one challenge is Russian strikes. The United States knows exactly what we need and that this is not about something abstract. This is about protecting lives. These are real people, individual lives. Air defense support is needed, and that requires political decisions. In Europe too. In the G7 countries too.
I received Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, @Bayramov_Jeyhun. This is the Minister’s first visit to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. He began his visit in Irpin, where he visited a school, a hospital, and a rehabilitation center supported by Azerbaijan. We are very grateful that, during these difficult days for our country and our people, you found an opportunity to come and support us. Thank you for your solidarity with our people.
I informed him about the ongoing Russian strikes on Ukraine, the situation in the Black Sea, and Russia’s blockade of the grain corridors. We discussed high-level diplomatic contacts, defense partnership, as well as economic cooperation in the energy sector, the oil and gas industry, and agriculture.
I am grateful to Azerbaijan for its support for Ukraine, its energy and humanitarian assistance, and our constructive dialogue.
I held a coordination meeting on our sanctions – all types of sanctions against Russia for this war. The main task is not to give Russia time to adapt to the restrictions. We see that every Russian missile, every drone, and most other types of Russian weapons contain critical components from other countries, without which such weapons simply could not exist.
We also discussed Russia’s use of machine tools and technologies that Moscow is generations behind in and certainly could not have developed on its own. More pressure is needed to restrict such ties between the aggressor state and the rest of the world.
I have instructed that a clear plan be drawn up for a special sanctions operation that must significantly constrain Russia’s military industry – targeting specific companies in the areas we have identified. Every participant in the meeting received clear tasks. I expect them to be carried out in full. Glory to Ukraine!
I held a meeting on the development of our ballistic capabilities and the implementation status of the FREYJA Anti-Ballistic Missile Program. The agencies involved reported on the current needs and the stages completed as of now. We set a schedule and designated those responsible for the elements of the programs that need to be accelerated. The National Security and Defense Council, the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense, the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Brave1 team, and the most technologically advanced teams in Ukraine’s defense industry are involved in this effort.
Developing one’s own ballistic capabilities and creating a new anti-ballistic system is a task that only a tiny minority of countries worldwide have managed to accomplish. Ukraine has this capability. Ukrainians have the necessary scientific foundation and expertise. We can state that our weapons manufacturers have also reached the required level. We expect Ukraine to achieve the necessary results in 2026–2027.
During the meeting, we discussed the key challenges, namely access to critical components, additional steps in technological cooperation with partners, and the localization of production. I thank everyone involved who delivers on everything they promise on time. I am also grateful to our partners who are helping and who have themselves joined our main defense programs. FREYJA is making progress, and that is important. Europe needs a shared and truly large-scale capability to defend effectively against any ballistic threats. We support and expect more of our partner countries that are capable of contributing to join the Anti-Ballistic Coalition.
We also discussed work with partners on PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles. I expect results from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense in their communication with the partners that have already been identified and mentioned on numerous occasions. Glory to Ukraine!
I discussed our defense against Russian strikes with Prime Minister of Norway @jonasgahrstore. I am grateful to Norway for its readiness to assist both with air defense supplies and by working with partners that have the necessary anti-ballistic capabilities. We are trying to accelerate all processes as much as possible – capabilities to protect our people are needed every day.
I informed Jonas about the implementation of the FREYJA program and the schedule for our next steps. Norwegian representatives are involved in this work, and we value their contribution. We also coordinated our activities for August. We expect to reach important bilateral agreements within the framework of the strategic partnership between our countries. Thank you, Norway! Thank you, Jonas!
Today, our long-range sanctions once again worked to limit Russia’s oil revenues, which it uses to finance the war and the killing of Ukrainians.
Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck the aggressor’s facilities more than 1,300 kilometers from the front line. The Bashneft-Novoil refinery was hit in Bashkortostan. In the Yaroslavl region, nearly 700 kilometers from our border, the Slavneft-YANOS refinery was hit.
Our responses to Russian aggression in the Black Sea were also successful. In particular, two military patrol boats and shadow fleet vessels were struck.
I thank all the warriors of the Defense Forces who are systematically expanding our long-range capabilities and thereby increasing the chances for diplomacy. Russia must choose peace.
Michael Clarke: Last night, Ukraine attacked a Wildberries warehouse in Tula region. This was 14th of 15 biggest Wildberries warehouses.
Wildberries now suffered attacks, destruction, or damage to 60% of its warehousing capacity.
It's cost them $3 billion worth of stock so far. Wildberries is also most indebted company in whole of Russia.
It's carrying about $10 billion worth of debt. Most of that debt is held by state-sponsored, state-directed VTB Bank.
Thinking in Kyiv seems to be that if they can bring down Wildberries, maybe they can bring down VTB Bank.
To start crisis throughout banking sector in Russia, and make Russian economy even more fragile.
And also to make it difficult for Putin to draw from it the war material that he wants.
Today, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže @Braze_Baiba is in Ukraine for her sixth visit. It is important that the Minister came to Kyiv from Odesa, where she had a full schedule of activities. We are always grateful to those partners who are here in Ukraine, alongside our people – supporting us and enduring Russian strikes with us. Especially when Russia brandishes its ballistic missiles every day.
I informed the Minister about the consequences of today’s attack, and we also discussed the further implementation of the PURL and SAFE programs, food security and Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports, support for Ukraine’s European integration, and the opening of four more negotiating clusters. I thank Latvia for all its support since the very beginning of this war.
I discussed with Alex Stubb @alexstubb how Finland can help us defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks. We understand how many missiles for air defense systems are available worldwide. And they are needed in Ukraine every day – every day, we have to defend ourselves against these Russian strikes. If each of our partner countries helps us now, it will save many lives. I thank Alex for his immediate response and readiness to support us.
Of course, we also discussed diplomacy – everything that can force Russia toward peace. When Putin can no longer kill people, he will be forced to seek a way out of this war. Only sufficient support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia can bring about peace.
We are working as hard as possible with all partners who can assist with the supply of interceptor missiles to protect against such insane Russian strikes targeting life, people, and civilian facilities.
Today, I spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte @SecGenNATO about the overall situation. Mark is well-informed about the threats, and we coordinated our efforts regarding countries that have the necessary missiles and the capacity to help. It is important to cut through all red tape and make the necessary political decisions. Literally every day, people’s lives here in Ukraine depend on the resolve of our partners in Europe and the United States. I am grateful to Mark for his willingness to seek out solutions and work alongside Ukraine to secure the supplies we need. We will stay in touch.
Today, I held a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council on the implementation of the resilience plans established for regions and communities. Unfortunately, some cities and regions are falling behind. It is a matter of personal responsibility for getting back on track and implementing the resilience plans.
There are now three priorities for making it through the winter: strengthening the protection of critical infrastructure, ensuring the necessary number and quality of shelters, and increasing anti-ballistic capabilities. I am grateful to those officials and local government representatives who truly care about Ukrainians and their communities.
It was a pleasure to welcome @wesstreeting to Kyiv for the first time. We appreciate that his visit comes right after yet another Russian attack on our people. I briefed the Secretary on the consequences of this onslaught against life and on our needs, as Russia seeks to significantly ramp up its ballistic missile production ahead of winter.
We discussed how the UK could help Ukraine better protect our cities and communities from such ballistic threats – both bilaterally and multilaterally – just as it has done many times before by helping secure supplies of scarce defensive equipment. In particular, we discussed opportunities to establish coproduction of certain types of weaponry, as both the UK and Ukraine possess strong battle-proven capabilities. We also discussed sanctions against Russian enterprises involved in the production of ballistic missiles. Every effort to undermine Russia’s war machine and its bet on ballistic terror matters.
Thank you to the United Kingdom, His Majesty, the Prime Minister, and the British people for your unwavering support.
As someone living in Kyiv, I’m begging you:
Please help us stop this.
Almost every night, russia strikes Kyiv with ballistic missiles, hitting civilians, homes, and warehouses.
We can’t stop these missiles because we don’t have enough Patriot systems.
People are dying.
Please don’t look away. Share what’s happening in Ukraine. Help us save lives.
Russia used cluster warheads in its ballistic missile strike on Kyiv.
Cluster munitions break apart in the air and scatter dozens of small bombs over a large area. They are designed to hit as many people and targets as possible, not just one specific location. When used in cities, they are especially dangerous because they can kill civilians over a wide area, and some of the small bombs don’t explode immediately, remaining deadly long after the attack.
@United24media Im just going to say it Donald's trump is involved in these strike funny that he comes out and says he hasn't agree on Patriot Missiles then hours later russia are launching every ballistic missiles at Ukraine knowing they cant take them down
Everyone who thinks it's fucking funny that. Ukraine can't defend itself because they're down to 0 Patriot missiles - while Ukrainians are being murdered in cold blood - needs to sit the fuck down. This isn't a meme. People are dying. Lets hope its not us next.
@P_Kallioniemi He may be tired and no doubt pissed off that he keeps getting empty promises all the time so I wouldnt blame him but 1 thing for sure he will not give up on Ukraine