Dear Ukrainians!
Today, work continued in Odessa almost all day - after the night strike by the "Shaheeds". Most of them were shot down, but, unfortunately, not all. There were again hits on energy systems and residential buildings. Unfortunately, three people died, among them a small child. My condolences to the relatives. 18 people were injured. Everyone was provided with the necessary assistance. We have repeatedly suggested to Russia to cease fire at least for Easter - for this special time of year. But for them, all times are the same, nothing is sacred for them, and if Russia can afford a war, can finance it - Russia will not want to make peace on its own. That is why it is so important not to reduce pressure on the aggressor, and everyone in the world who understands this understands how to bring peace closer.
We in Ukraine are doing our part of this work constantly, and our long-range sanctions continue to work very effectively and really reduce Russian revenues, primarily oil revenues. This is absolutely fair, and most importantly, it limits Russia's ability to drag out this war. Only significant financial losses force Russia to think about an exit scenario - an exit from the war. Now, of course, the oil market and global markets in general are in a state of crisis due to the unresolved situation around Iran. Oil countries now - and Russia among them - can earn more. And our drones, our missiles limit Russia in this - thank our soldiers for their accuracy.
Today, in particular, we talked about deep strikes with the Commander-in-Chief and the Chief of the General Staff. I also thank those partners who continue to apply pressure with their methods - appropriate sanctions, stopping tankers, and restrictions on the supply of modern equipment to Russia.
Everything that the Russians can earn from the shock prices for oil, they will give to the war. This priority has not changed for them yet. Therefore, every restriction we make on their ability to export oil is correct. If Russia is ready to stop attacking our energy sector, we will be ready to respond to them in kind. And the Russian side has such a proposal – through the Americans. We are also working very substantively on documents with the American side now. As agreed, Ukraine is preparing its proposals, its strengthening of the document on security guarantees. Security guarantees are the key to a real end to the war, to lasting peace, in general to such a political and legal situation that the war can be ended and that people have confidence in the process. It is important that our partners hear us in this, and that we continue to proceed productively in the negotiations. There is a lot of distrust in diplomacy now – and not only here – regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine. But what the result will be and whether there will be a result depends on all participants in the diplomatic process. And we are actually in contact with the American side every day at various levels to achieve a result.
One more thing. Our team is currently finalizing the agreements from the visits these days. The head of Naftogaz is working with the Turkish side to implement everything we talked about the day before yesterday in Istanbul. For us, joint work with Turkey is one of the guarantees of energy security, logistical security. There is a good basis to take new joint steps. This meeting with President Erdogan was one of the most positive in all years. Thank you. The diplomatic part of our team is also working on Syria to strengthen our interaction. We have already restored full-fledged relations, we need to restore a permanent diplomatic presence, constant interaction. Rustem Umerov is now continuing to work in the region for the sake of our joint security steps with the relevant countries and the expansion of both defense and economic relations. We already have agreements with Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, as well as Oman, Bahrain - there is interest. For the first time in history, Ukraine is not just represented in the Middle East and the Gulf region, but is a desirable and strong partner there. Ukraine was one of the first and fundamentally supported the region when the attacks from the Iranian regime began - we did it in reality. We also supported Syria when the Assad regime was overthrown. It is worth considering the interests of the Iranian people now, so that everything is decent. We strive for a decent peace for ourselves, and this is what we are promoting diplomatically. Our goal is absolutely clear: we need stability and peace in Europe, we need stability and peace in the Middle East and the Gulf, as well as in other globally important regions, so that the world does not know such problems due to destabilized markets, destroyed energy, disrupted shipping, nuclear threat or food insecurity. All peoples deserve security - and there will also be new security agreements of ours that will definitely strengthen Ukraine. Now very different states want to cooperate with Ukraine as a security partner, but we are open to working together with all those who support our sovereignty, our independence and respect our people. I thank you for the fact that Ukraine has become what it is and that Ukraine is respected so much.
Glory to Ukraine!