Today is a day of gratitude to all Ukrainian athletes, coaches, and support teams for the immense pride Ukrainians feel when the blue and yellow flag is raised on the world’s sports stages.
Today is the Day of Physical Culture and Sports. Behind every sports victory lies the hard work and hopes of many people. Often, we don’t see their emotions and worries. But without their dedication, there would be no sporting achievements. Likewise, without the daily work of physical education teachers, sports departments, schools, clubs—the entire sports infrastructure of our country—there would be no big sports.
Even now, in times of war, we can be proud of those who continue to teach children a healthy lifestyle and sports.
I congratulate and thank all our Ukrainian athletes, coaches, everyone who, despite everything, strives to develop Ukrainian sports, everyone who promotes sports, all Ukrainian physical education teachers, and all Ukrainian families who work hard to teach children an active and healthy lifestyle.
🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
I had a meeting with American actor, producer, and UN Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas and his son Dylan.
We discussed the situation in our country, cooperation with partners, support for Ukraine, and the fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen.
We greatly appreciate that Michael and his son are genuinely interested in these issues and that their family stands with our country and people. We thank them for all the support.
Today, we completed another exchange. 103 Ukrainian defenders have been returned from Russian captivity. Many of these men have been held since 2022 – from the first months of the war. These include warriors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, border guards, police officers, and soldiers from other elements of our Defense and Security Forces.
Among them are defenders from the Kyiv and Donetsk regions, including Mariupol and Azovstal, as well as other parts of the regions. Some were captured in Kharkiv and Kherson regions as well. Some of the men are in serious condition due to injuries, and all will receive the necessary care.
I want to thank our exchange team for their work. And my deep gratitude to all our brave combat brigades who continue to contribute to the "exchange fund" for our country. In particular, the recent operation in the Kursk region gave us the necessary momentum.
We immediately began working to fulfill all the agreements with our partners that we reached this week, following the Ramstein meeting and key talks in Germany and Italy. Our defense minister and military also held meetings in France, the UK, and Germany. We're counting on tangible outcomes from discussions with U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin.
There were also important conversations with Chancellor Scholz and Prime Minister Meloni. We continue to work closely with representatives from both U.S. parties—during the forum in Italy, I met with a U.S. Congressional delegation to discuss details of Ukraine’s victory plan. This plan will be fully presented to President Biden and both presidential candidates, Trump and Harris.
This week brought new agreements on ammunition for Ukraine, funding for weapons production, drones, and missiles. Air defense remains our top priority, and we are continually working to convince partners of the need for long-range capabilities. Russia can evade the search for peace just as much as the world evades strong decisions that lead to Russia’s defeat—long-range capabilities are one of those strategic decisions. I thank everyone in the world who helps us bring these absolutely necessary steps of partners closer.
For the announced steps made at the UDCG meeting in the Ramstein format and the additional aid agreed upon this week, I want to especially thank Germany, the U.S., the UK, Canada, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Romania, Lithuania, and Latvia.
На полях форуму «Амброзетті» провів зустріч із Головою Ради міністрів Італії Джорджею Мелоні.
Відновлення та відбудова України, зокрема енергетичної системи, – одне з тих питань, які обговорили під час зустрічі. Цінуємо рішення Італії прийняти наступну Конференцію з питань відновлення України, яка відбудеться 2025 року.
Також говорили про реалізацію Формули миру. Італія бере активну участь в імплементації кожного пункту. Дякую Джорджії та італійському народу за підтримку й спільну роботу з відновлення справедливого миру.
🇺🇦🇮🇹
On the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum, I had a meeting with the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, @GiorgiaMeloni.
One of the key topics we discussed was Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction, particularly focusing on the restoration of our energy system. We deeply appreciate Italy’s decision to host the next Ukraine Recovery Conference in 2025.
We also spoke about the implementation of the Peace Formula, where Italy plays an active role in each of its points. I thank Giorgia and the Italian people for their support and joint efforts in restoring a just peace.
🇺🇦🇮🇹
Had a meeting with representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. I am grateful for their prayers for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
We are doing everything possible to overcome the challenges facing the Church in Ukraine. It is very important for us that there is true stability and peace in this area as well.
I held a meeting with the Minister of National Defense of Lithuania, where we discussed the development of the defense industry and Ukraine’s priority defense needs.
We are grateful to Lithuania for its support since the very first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion. We hope that they will continue to stand with us until its end and our victory. It is very important for us.
🇺🇦 🇱🇹
Today, in a special meeting, we discussed new decisions and legislative initiatives that we are preparing for August, which will undoubtedly strengthen our state, our defense, and our society.
We convened a meeting of the working group focused on the energy security point of our Peace Formula, with participation from representatives of 40 partner countries and international organizations. We are preparing for the next phase of this work, which will be conducted online in August at the advisors' level, with the aim of outlining a concrete path to ensure energy security.
I am grateful to everyone who helps. Right now, we all need to act with the same unity and effectiveness that we demonstrated in the first weeks and months of this war—when Ukraine seized the initiative and began to turn the tide in our favor.
We have done it again, proving that, in any situation, Ukrainians can achieve their goals, defend their interests, and protect their independence. We must fully use our achievements. And we will.
Morning report by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi on the situation across all major directions, particularly in the Toretsk and Pokrovsk areas, as well as the operation in the Kursk region.
We are not forgetting our eastern front for a second. I have instructed the Commander-in-Chief to strengthen this direction using the equipment and supplies currently provided by our partners.
We are advancing in the Kursk region, one to two kilometers in various areas since the beginning of the day. We have captured more than 100 Russian servicemen during this period. I am grateful to everyone involved; this will accelerate the return of our guys and girls home.
Today at the Staff meeting, I received a report from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi. Our key defense directions at the frontline: Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and others. These areas are currently facing the most intense Russian assaults and are receiving our utmost defensive attention. Priority supplies—everything that is needed—are being sent there.
Separately, the Commander-in-Chief reported on the operation in Kursk Oblast. There has been new progress. Our “exchange fund” has been further replenished. Additionally, General Syrskyi reported the successful liberation of the city of Sudzha from Russian forces. A Ukrainian military commandant's office is being established there. Several other settlements have also been liberated. In total, more than eighty.
I extend my deepest gratitude to every one of our warriors who has made this possible.
Report from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi.
The frontline remains our top priority, particularly the Pokrovsk and Toretsk directions.
The Kursk region operation—we are strengthening our positions and replenishing “exchange fund” for Ukraine.
I am grateful to each of our warriors.
🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
Today, the newly appointed Ambassadors of Mexico, Italy, Slovakia, the Netherlands, India, and Belgium begin their diplomatic missions in Ukraine.
I received their letters of credence and spoke with each of them individually about strengthening bilateral cooperation between our countries.
I am grateful for the clear support of our territorial integrity and international law.
🇲🇽 🇮🇹 🇸🇰 🇳🇱 🇮🇳 🇧🇪
New ambassadors from our partner countries—Belgium, India, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Italy, and Mexico—have arrived in Ukraine to begin their work.
I have accepted their credentials and expressed my gratitude for their firm support of our territorial integrity and adherence to international law.
Today, I also held several meetings regarding our future diplomatic work aimed at bringing a just peace closer to Ukraine and protecting our people. News is being prepared.
Meeting on the situation in the Kursk region. We discussed key issues: security, humanitarian aid, and, if necessary, the establishment of military commandant’s offices.
Ukraine is defending itself and the lives of its people in border communities while also taking active steps on Russian territory. Our forces strictly adhere to the requirements of international conventions and humanitarian law.
Today, I held a meeting with government officials—including the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Internal Affairs, and the Ombudsman of the Verkhovna Rada—regarding support for our military actions in the Kursk region. It is crucial that Ukraine fights according to the rules, and that humanitarian needs in that area must be met.
Today’s report from the head of the Security Service of Ukraine was positive. I want to thank all our SBU warriors, as well as the warriors of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), and all the structures involved. I thank for the precise, timely, and effective strikes on Russian airfields.
Our Ukrainian drones are working exactly as needed. However, there are things that drones alone cannot achieve, unfortunately. We need other weapons—missile systems. We continue to work with our partners to secure long-range solutions for Ukraine because these are forward-looking decisions essential for our victory. This must be done. The bolder our partners' decisions, the less Putin can do.