I wish you health, dear Ukrainians!

Today we are with our communities. A meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities – our government officials and parliamentarians participated. Also here, in Transcarpathia, there was a meeting with our Ukrainian Hungarian community. It is important that there is attention and respect for all communities in Ukraine. First of all, I thanked every community that was active and effective this winter. We got through this winter thanks to all our people who work for our state, for their community, who are professionals in energy companies and in public utilities. I want to thank all of you. Business worked well – supply, logistics. In reality, it is our joint state success that Russia’s plans for the winter were thwarted. Now we have already started preparing for the next winter. We must not waste time. Although it is difficult to provide all needs due to the blocking of European funds for Ukraine – those funds that were supposed to go to restoration, new protection for the winter, and the development of alternative networks and generation. We are currently relying on internal resources, but we are working with partners to unlock this key support package. It is important that our communities are also active, telling partners at their level – partner communities – why block support for us, for Ukraine, is purely working for Russia.

I noted our Hungarian community today – both for helping with defense, and for the fact that all our communities, and the Hungarian one in particular, are helping displaced persons and relocated businesses. Because of the war, there is actually a redistribution of economic activity in the country – the western regions of our state are growing economically. Transcarpathia – is growing very noticeably. And this is not only about enterprises as such, it is also about communities, about the social space in communities, about relations between our people. It is important that we have this support everywhere in Ukraine – from people to people, – and here it is, I want to thank you for it. And, of course, I want to note all the leaders of our communities, all our people who support frontline communities and border areas with Russia. Communities are now walking shoulder to shoulder, and in many things. Thank you for this systemic support.

And one more thing.

We all see how difficult it is to stabilize the situation in the Middle East. Yes, that's true. There will still be a lot of political and diplomatic activity around Iran. But we hope there will be less military action. This is important for everyone in the world - because of the destabilization of the markets. Now oil prices are decreasing, and it is important not to break this. The world wants stability, and the peoples want security. There was a report by the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council - he continues to work with countries close to Iran, and there will be more of our Ukrainian security agreements: new drafts of agreements have already been prepared. For Monday, I have scheduled a meeting on the second wave of our such agreements. Ukraine is making its contribution to security, and in return, partners will make their contribution to strengthening Ukraine. Thank you.

Glory to Ukraine!