Dear Ukrainians!
Briefly about this day. Now our team – both the military and Rustem Umerov – is on its way to the Gulf region, where our guys can help protect life and stabilize the situation. We see what challenges there are now due to strikes from Iran – due to this whole war, which may drag on. In fact, the Iranian regime has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, and this is one of the main routes for supplying oil and gas to the world market. This is significant destabilization. No one in the world can yet say how long all this will last, but it is important that the protection of life actually works as soon as possible. We also need stability. It is necessary that those who are now turning to Ukraine for support – so that they continue to help our defense, our air defense first of all. Last year, we offered the United States an agreement – an agreement on drones. This is the right perspective – to be with us in the production of drones, in their use. And everyone now sees that there is no alternative to this perspective. Ukraine has the world's greatest experience in countering strike drones, and without our experience and that of the Gulf region, the entire Middle East, partners in Europe and America, it will be very difficult to build strong defense. We are ready to help those who help us, help Ukraine. Rustem Umerov, together with our military, together with intelligence, with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will prepare specific agreements. Ukraine is a reliable security donor, this is not only our security - this is our economic perspective. Defense for Ukraine, cooperation with partners, development for Ukrainian industries. Everything that Ukrainians have learned for their defense can be a global basis for security - a global basis for a protected life.
There were reports from our intelligence agencies today, in particular about how the Russians want to take advantage of the war in the Middle East. They want to use strikes from Iran to their advantage. The Russians are talking about lifting sanctions, about some kind of ability to help America in the situation with Iran. This is typical Russian manipulation. They help only where they see an opportunity for themselves to dominate. They simply do not know how to work on equal terms. We hope that America sees and understands all the risks, all the dependencies, all the threats. Even a partial lifting of sanctions on Russia can be an extremely negative example. Including for others - others who want to fight against their neighbors, as Russia does.
And one more thing.
Today there was a report by Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky on the use of missiles, on our responses – completely fair responses to the aggressor. Our soldiers hit one of the important Russian military plants – in Bryansk. This plant produced electronics, components for Russian missiles. The very ones that hit our cities, our villages, and civilians. We are defending ourselves. Russia has long had the opportunity to end this war, which it started. In fact, this is a joint war between them – both in Russia and in the Iranian regime and in North Korea. This is a joint aggression between them – against the West, against the entire democratic world, against the fact that peoples and states have their own rights and have real significance. We must protect life. We must be together in this defense. I want to thank everyone who is with Ukraine! I thank everyone who helps take care of life and people.
Glory to Ukraine!