Of course, we are not losing this war. But we are losing people. Because of the Russian attacks, we're losing people and time. It's such a pity, because our children don't have a real life and childhood. Not only children, but all people. That's why we need to end this war as quickly as possible. I hope that our partners, Americans and Europeans, will help us. God bless, our strong soldiers stay strong on the battlefield. It helps me stay strong during any kind of negotiations.
Already in Brussels with my team to attend the European Council meeting and hold talks with our partners.
Important meetings are scheduled for today with the NATO Secretary General, the President of France, and the prime ministers of Poland, Denmark, and Belgium. I will also have an audience with King Philippe of the Belgians. Tomorrow, meetings are planned with the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, as well as the prime ministers of Hungary, Finland, and Sweden.
All of us in Europe want this war to end. And for that to happen, strong signals are needed – more real pressure on Russia and more defense support for Ukraine. It is especially important now to act together to protect lives.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has endured what few leaders could imagine. Betrayal by friends, hesitation from allies, endless political games, and the daily destruction of his country. Yet he refuses to surrender.
War has changed him. His face carries years of exhaustion, sleepless nights, and the unbearable responsibility for millions of lives. He is not a Hollywood hero. He is a man who chose to stay when leaving would have been easier.
He never asked the world for sympathy. He asked for weapons to defend his people. While politicians debate and the world grows tired, he continues fighting for Ukraine's survival.
I have never admired a public figure as deeply as I admire this man. Not because he is flawless, but because he has shown extraordinary courage when it mattered most.
Presidents come and go. Ukrainians will decide their own future. But history will remember the man who stood with his nation when everything was at stake.
**Stay strong, President Zelenskyy. You have not abandoned Ukraine, and Ukraine has not surrendered.** 🇺🇦
Emergency services are still providing assistance in dozens of our cities and communities. Repair crews and rescuers are working to deal with the aftermath of Russian attacks. For practically all of yesterday and throughout last night, a massive “shahed” attack was underway. The drones kept coming in waves, and there was not a single hour when our skies were clear of them. From midnight yesterday through 9 a.m. today, there had already been more than 850 “shaheds” – and this comes precisely at a time when the speed of our defensive capabilities is being artificially restricted. We managed to shoot down some of the “shaheds.” But unfortunately, there were also dozens of hits. One of the largest attacks was carried out against our Kirovohrad region. There were also strikes in Kyiv and the surrounding region, the Dnipro, Odesa, Rivne, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. Three people were killed in Kropyvnytskyi and three more in the Dnipro region. My condolences to their families and loved ones.
It is obvious that Russia deliberately chose to escalate its attacks after receiving sanctions relief and seeing attempts to pressure Ukraine. Russia exploits every such opportunity and must be held accountable for what it does. Strong decisions are needed to end this war. Ukraine needs steady support, above all in defending our skies. We need HONESTY from our partners about this war: It is important that everyone in America stand not with the aggressor, but with our efforts to protect lives, end this war, and guarantee security.
Overnight, the Russians used 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 attack drones and loitering munitions against our energy and critical infrastructure in Kyiv, the Kyiv region, and Kharkiv. A targeted Russian ballistic missile strike specifically against energy infrastructure – the very infrastructure covered by the ceasefire announced by the American President. The strike was entirely deliberate and demonstrative in its scale – Russia has never before shown such ostentatious disrespect toward the United States. Russia does not consider the American President’s statements strong. Unfortunately, at least 600,000 people are now without power. Outages could become even more widespread. Unfortunately, there is significant damage to facilities and equipment – at 26 facilities of our power system and four facilities in the oil and gas sector. I am grateful to the repair crews, all Ukrainian energy workers, and the personnel of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine for all their efforts to address the aftermath of this Russian strike. Tragically, there have been fatalities and injuries.
We ask America and EVERYONE in the world who does not turn a blind eye to reality to respond – and to respond forcefully. Russia has squandered the opportunity for de-escalation and has clearly chosen to continue its insane war of annihilation. We ask President Trump to impose STRONG sanctions on Russia, especially since the Lindsey Graham bill, which was recently passed and signed into law, authorizes and regulates such measures. The American President has all the effective and necessary tools to bring peace closer through strength, justice, and pressure on the aggressor. We ask for additional packages of Patriot missile interceptors for Ukraine. It is entirely fair for us to tell the United States, Europe, and all our partners that no country in the world should be left alone to face such a deranged and pro-war actor as Russia. I am grateful to everyone who helps Ukraine! Peace can only come through strength, and we ask America to remember this principle of Reagan’s. Glory to Ukraine!
We expect that the U.S. side will succeed in arranging a trilateral meeting in October. For now, the Russians are focused solely on strikes against Ukraine and destabilizing activities in Europe. Putin now knows the situation in Europe – in specific countries – and the statistics on strikes far better than he knows what is actually happening on the front. And an important task for America and all our strong partners is to push Russia toward diplomacy and real steps instead of killing.
This morning, the Russians once again struck the Pivnichnyi Bridge in Kyiv with a drone. They attacked an ordinary pharmaceutical warehouse in Sumy with drones. Tragically, one person was killed. My condolences to the family and loved ones. In Dnipro, they struck a communications facility. Six people were injured as a result of these attacks.
Overnight, the Russians launched 135 attack drones against Ukraine, more than 50 of them jet-powered. Kyiv, the Dnipro, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia regions came under attack. And among the main targets of these terrorists, as always, are ordinary residential buildings, critical infrastructure – everything that makes up normal everyday life. There are power outages in some communities. Our services are working at the impact sites.
It is important that Ukraine is not left alone against this terror. This week alone, the Russians have used more than 1,900 attack drones, 1,700 aerial bombs, and 25 missiles against Ukraine. More than 800 of the drones were jet-powered, and Russia must be held accountable for this escalation.
Today, Friedrich Merz @bundeskanzler – Federal Chancellor of Germany – is visiting Kyiv. A leader of a country that consistently demonstrates leadership in protecting the lives of Ukrainians from Russian strikes. We are grateful for all the support, and today we are preparing decisions to give us in Ukraine, and all of Europe, greater capabilities to defend ourselves. There will be important agreements between Ukraine and Germany. Russia must be stopped together. Thank you to everyone who is helping.
Since this morning, work has been underway to deal with the aftermath of Russian strikes on Kyiv. The Russians launched many drones against the city, a significant number of them jet-powered. Russia continues to turn civilian and critical infrastructure into targets: pharmaceutical facilities, gas stations, railways, communications infrastructure, and shopping malls. As of now, two people have been reported killed and another 24 wounded. My condolences to their families and loved ones. There were also strikes on cities and communities in eight regions.
At every meeting during the UN General Assembly, we are working to ensure continued support for Ukraine. Equally important is the fair pressure exerted on Russia through sanctions. Ukraine is grateful to everyone who acts and applies principled pressure. Virtually all of our partners agree that while such strikes continue, while this terrorist war goes on, this is no time for weakness. It is important that sanctions send a signal to Russia, including its oligarchs, that the war must be ended, not simply waited out. Thank you to everyone who is helping Ukraine!
President Trump, our teams, and I spoke about how to end the war. This is the priority. We are ready. I’m not sure Russia is ready as of today, but anyhow, we spoke about an energy ceasefire. We are ready for an energy ceasefire if they do not attack our energy system, our electricity, heating, and water supply. This is our proposal. We are thankful to the American side. They will share it with the Russians. I don’t know the Russian position.
Tomorrow, President Trump will have a meeting with the leader of China. I said to the President, very openly, that we think if he also engages President Xi – he has influence on Putin. If we want to end this war, not just in messages, we all have to work 24/7 for this, for the people.
We also spoke about winter. It’s important on the way to negotiations. We have to prepare. It won’t be simple. We’re asking for two things from the American side. The first is a winter package of Patriot missiles. The second is licenses to produce Patriots. We also need security guarantees for Ukraine.
I think the most important move President Trump can make – he can organize a trilateral meeting where the leaders can raise all the sensitive issues and try to end the war.
From a conversation with the media.
We are working actively with our partners to find a diplomatic solution in support of our food exports. Dozens of other countries depend on them. I am grateful to every partner who is helping right now, and Egypt, India, Türkiye, and Arab states are already involved.
Everyone sees how important our exports are and understands that it is together with Ukraine that the issue of food security can be resolved and a cost-of-living crisis can be prevented in countries where social stability means security both for those countries and for Europe.
I don’t know what warped logic drove Putin to blow up a stationary Ukrainian locomotive on the Polish border this morning. What we can say for sure is that this is the kind of random and senseless attack Ukrainians are enduring every day - even on civilian railways. So far Putin has been responsible for the deaths of 1700 staff of Ukrzaliznytsia - Ukrainian Railways. They and their daily passengers are absolutely heroic.
When are we going to give them the air defences they need? Why won’t we unfreeze Putin’s cash and give it to Ukraine? There is more than €140 billion in a Belgian bank account - and about £10 billion in London. Britain could show a lead.
The Ukrainians are going to win - that much was clear from the last three days in their wonderful country. But we will get this dreadful war over much faster if we all get serious and give them what they need and deserve.
This morning in Kyiv, a Russian drone struck an apartment building. Four people were injured. As always, our rescuers responded swiftly, and the fire has now been extinguished. Last night in the Odesa region, the international Starokozache border crossing with Moldova was hit. Operations there have been suspended. Tragically, two people were killed and three others were injured. Sixteen people were evacuated by rescuers. My condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. Efforts are also underway to deal with the aftermath of the Russian attack in the Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Zhytomyr, and Kyiv regions.
Unfortunately, there has been too little response from the international community to these strikes, which are taking people’s lives practically every day. But a response is needed – Moscow must not go into the winter believing that it can get away with missile and drone terror without consequences. The aggression must be stopped here and now, before it spreads any further. And it is important that sanctions and support for Ukraine work effectively toward this goal. The partners who can help know exactly what is needed every day. And I thank everyone who is helping to the best of their ability.
Russia provides assistance to the Iranian regime. We know what has been provided so far, although the exact volumes of such a help not full known. The good thing is that the Iranian regime does not seem to be able to provide Russia with missiles and some other weapons which they use in attacks against Ukraine.
However, the focus had shifted to the Middle East. I hope the war will not be long, not only because I’m worried about Ukraine but also because every human life lost or destroyed is a tragedy. Meanwhile, we don't see progress in peace negotiations. If a lasting peace or a ceasefire are not negotiated during the first days of the conflict, there is a big risk of its prolongation. This will definitely have influence on the situation in Ukraine. Less focus means less support. Less support means less air defence.
I thank everyone who remembers PURL—program that allows us to purchase American interceptors for Patriots. We understand risks created by Iranian strikes and the resulting need for air defense in the Middle East. It is important the protection of life is ensured in Ukraine too.
Today, together with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten @MinPres, we honored the fallen Ukrainian defenders at the Wall of Remembrance.
We thank each and every one. We remember and honor the feat of our heroes – all those who stood up to defend Ukraine and gave their lives in this fight for independence.
I held a meeting on the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region – the challenges for Ukraine and our partners, as well as our capacity to help protect lives, prevent the war from expanding, and stabilize global markets.
The Iranian regime, which is striving to survive at any cost, poses clear threats to all states in the region and to global stability. No country close to Iran can feel secure. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has practically stopped. So far, the Iranian regime has shown no genuine intent for honest diplomacy or fundamental change.
Ukraine is consulting with partners in Europe and the United States, as well as with countries neighboring Iran. Yesterday, I spoke with the leaders of the UAE and Qatar. Today, I held discussions with the leaders of Jordan and Bahrain. There will also be talks with Kuwait and other countries in the region. All of them face a serious challenge and speak openly about it: Iranian attack drones are the same “shaheds” that have been striking our cities, villages, and our Ukrainian infrastructure throughout this war.
In just a few days, Iran has launched over 800 missiles of various types and more than 1,400 attack drones. It is Iranian drones and missiles that pose the main threat to free navigation, destabilizing global prices for oil, petroleum products, and gas.
Ukraine can contribute to protecting lives and stabilizing the situation. Partners are reaching out to us. I have tasked Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, together with intelligence agencies, the Minister of Defense, our military command, and the NSDC Secretary, to present options for assisting the relevant countries and to provide aid in a way that does not weaken our own defense here in Ukraine.
Our military possesses the necessary capabilities. Ukrainian experts will operate on-site, and teams are already coordinating these efforts. And we are ready to help protect lives, defend civilians, and support real efforts to stabilize the situation and, in particular, restore safe navigation in the region.
We expect the European Union, European countries, and the G7 to take active measures both in dismantling the Iranian regime’s terrorist capabilities and in protecting lives in the region and global stability. We will continue to coordinate with our partners. Glory to Ukraine!
Today I spoke with leaders of countries currently under attack from Iran – the President of the United Arab Emirates and the Amir of Qatar. We will continue this diplomatic engagement with the broader Middle East and Gulf region.
Ukraine stands in solidarity with all those who are resisting the spread of war and violence. For decades, the Iranian regime has invested in destroying the lives of its neighbors and others wherever it could reach. It was on that very foundation that they became accomplices of Russia in the war against Ukraine.
Every “shahed” drone in Ukrainian skies proves that the Iranian regime must be held accountable for its attempts to destroy lives and kill people. It is essential that those who defend life prevail in this confrontation.
At the level of our teams – the Ukrainian team, the teams of the Emirates and Qatar, and other states – we will determine how, together, we can provide stronger protection for life. Ukraine’s expertise in countering “shahed” drones is currently the most advanced in the world, and these drones represent the primary challenge in that region as well. It is clear why so many requests are directed to Ukraine.
However, any such cooperation aimed at protecting our partners can only proceed without diminishing our own defense capabilities here in Ukraine. Russia’s war against Ukraine continues, Russian strikes continue, and protecting Ukrainian lives remains our first priority.
We discussed the key aspects of the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan @MohamedBinZayed. I expressed my condolences over the lives lost as a result of Iran’s insane strikes.
The President noted that the Iranian regime is targeting not only military facilities but virtually everything – residential buildings, shopping malls, even mosques. We discussed how we can help in this situation and support the protection of lives. It was agreed that our teams will work on this. Protecting lives is a shared priority for everyone in the world.