🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

No one has been able to stop Putin. Only Trump remains, he might be able to. But to stop Putin, one thing is essential: he must lose money. Only then will he be unable to expand his army and military sector.

That’s why sanctions matter: targeting the banking sector, the shadow fleet, and oil prices. Capping the price of Russian energy is critical, because oil is their main source of income. What happens in the Middle East is now driving oil prices up, and that, in turn, affects Europe’s security. That’s why oil price caps are such a powerful tool.

Sanctions are powerful, when enforced. If loopholes are closed, missile components, including for ballistic systems, simply won’t reach Russia. Sanctions aren’t just about money. They’re about stopping the flow of deadly technology, the parts that enable Russia to produce these horrific weapons at scale. Right now, the tone of the U.S.–Russia dialogue feels too warm. Let’s be honest: that won’t stop Putin. What’s needed is a shift in tone. Putin must understand clearly: America will stand with Ukraine, including by imposing sanctions and supporting our army.

Any signals of reduced aid, or of treating Ukraine and Russia as equals, are deeply unfair. Russia is the aggressor. They started this war. They do not want to end it.

That’s why the world must send a clear message: if Putin refuses to end the war, the strongest possible sanctions will follow.

Today, in year four of Russia’s full-scale war, our military has recorded over one million Russian casualties — killed and wounded. That’s the price Putin is willing to pay for his sick geopolitical fantasies. And still, he refuses to end this war. 12 days ago, Ukraine’s Security Service completed “SpiderWeb” — a low-cost drone operation targeting the very aircraft Russia used to terrorize our country and to send a message of threat to NATO. These were not just similar strategic bombers, but the exact same ones Russia had used to simulate missile strikes on NATO territory.

At the Ukraine – Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa, I emphasized that Moscow doesn’t see Ukraine as a country, just as a pile of resources and a military staging ground for its next invasions. We all in the region are dealing with the same source of destruction. The security of Southeastern Europe and the Black Sea is indivisible. This has been obvious to Ukraine since 2014 and became clear to the entire continent in 2022. Yet, even today, we are compelled to fight not only for our country, but to ensure that this reality becomes the cornerstone of a new regional policy.

I spoke with media on the day of remembrance for Ukrainian children killed by Russia.

In Istanbul, Russians gave us an ultimatum, not a “memorandum”.

Peace requires a meeting of leaders. I am ready to meet in the coming days with Putin, as well as presidents Trump and Erdogan. Regarding the Istanbul meeting, our groups held consultations regarding POW exchanges today. Russia said it will transfer 500 warriors this weekend out of the 1000+ that was agreed. We will be ready to exchange the relevant number. We still haven’t received lists from Russia.

Today, I addressed the participants of the Summit in Vilnius and emphasized that the key to lasting peace is clear – the aggressor must not receive any reward for war. Putin must get nothing that would justify his aggression. Any reward would only show him that war pays off. We talked about our operation inside Russia, which has seriously weakened their military. Operation “Spiderweb” showed what modern war really looks like and why it’s so important to stay ahead with technology.

Today, a brilliant operation was carried out — on enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia suffered significant losses — entirely justified and deserved. The preparation took over a year and a half. Planning, organisation, every detail was perfectly executed. It can be said with confidence that this was an absolutely unique operation.

Germany is one of the global leaders in supporting Ukraine and defending the rules-based international order. Preserving the rules means preserving normal life for people. That’s exactly what @Bundeskanzler and I talked about today. We discussed current diplomatic efforts and the state of ongoing negotiations. The world has been waiting over a week now for Russia to finalise its so-called “memorandum” — what they need to stop killing people. So far, they have not come up with anything new and are throwing repetitions of their old ultimatums into the information space.

I addressed the European Political Community Summit. This week, we had a real chance to move toward ending the war — if only Putin hadn’t been afraid to come to Türkiye. I was there ready for a direct meeting with him to resolve all key issues. He didn’t agree to anything. I appreciate that we here share the same understanding: this war must end — and it must end justly. Ukraine needs peace. Peace in Europe depends on whether Ukraine will get it.

I want to sincerely thank President @RTErdogan, his team, and the people of Türkiye for their support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. President Erdoğan reaffirmed during our meeting today that he supports Ukraine and recognises Crimea as part of Ukraine. This is a very important signal — not only politically, but also personally, in terms of our friendship and Türkiye’s multifaceted support for Ukraine. We had a very meaningful conversation at the highest level.

Together in Kyiv at the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing — five of us in person, joined online by leaders from over 30 countries, the EU, and NATO — we discussed what is urgently needed to achieve peace.
The key outcome: a united and clear position on the following points. Starting Monday, May 12, there must be a full and unconditional ceasefire – for at least 30 days. Together, we demand this from Russia.

An unconditional ceasefire means without any conditions.
Any attempt to set a condition or conditions is a sign of an effort to prolong the war and undermine diplomacy.

I addressed the meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers and emphasized that Russia must be held accountable for its aggression. A strong tribunal for the crime of aggression can – and must – make any potential aggressor think twice. Today’s meeting showed that we are all Europe, all democracies – united not just by borders or institutions, but by shared values and hopes. You came with strong decisions, real support for our people, and a readiness to increase pressure on Russia for the sake of true peace.

Today in Bucha, I said that we all want to end this war as soon as possible, with guaranteed security, lasting peace, and dignity. What does “with dignity” mean? That Russia must not gain any benefit from this war, and must not evade just accountability for what it has done.


We are in Bucha—a Ukrainian city where the world, three years ago, began to understand the full scale of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

During the leaders’ meeting in France on support for Ukraine I emphasized that the war is still ongoing — and it’s only happening because of Russia, whose position is simple: keep the war going, keep attacking, and delay diplomacy. Right now, there are U.S. proposals on the table — including one for a full and unconditional ceasefire. We agreed to it. But of course, Russia rejected it and threw-in a bunch of nonsense conditions nobody-asked-for.

I want to personally thank President @EmmanuelMacron and the entire French nation for their unwavering, principled, and meaningful support for Ukraine.
Right now, much can and must be done to ensure true security in Europe and stability for all our people—together with France and all partners in Europe and beyond. This is a historic moment. It’s about how today’s generation of European leaders will shape the security system of our continent for decades to come. This is exactly what we’re working on—defending against Russian aggression, establishing sustainable peace, and building reliable security guarantees for our Europe.

I addressed the European Council and emphasized that if we say Europe should be stronger in global competition, we must also discuss making European decision-making faster, more flexible, more effective – whether in politics, defense, economics, industry, or any other area. Last night, Russia launched a massive drone attack on Ukraine—171 strike drones, mostly Shaheds. Their target was our infrastructure. And in the city of Kropyvnytskyi, in central Ukraine, residential buildings, a church, and a school were damaged. Among the wounded—four children.

Answering journalists’ questions in Kyiv after the meeting of the leaders, I mentioned that many partners acknowledged Ukraine’s significant diplomatic progress in Jeddah. Now, it will be difficult for Russia to wriggle out. If Russia agrees to a ceasefire, it must demonstrate its willingness to end the war, or it will show that it wants to continue. This is what everyone is waiting for.

I addressed the meeting of European leaders stating that the path to peace must begin unconditionally. And if Russia doesn’t want this, then strong pressure must be applied until they do. Moscow understands one language.

Since Tuesday, a proposal for a ceasefire has been on the table — a silence from war in the air, at sea, and on the frontlines. This is an American proposal — a full, unconditional ceasefire for 30 days. In that time, without killings, it would truly be possible to negotiate all aspects of a real peace.

Today, Ukraine marks Military Volunteer Day. This day was established not so long ago, but it honors the bravery of those who have been defending Ukraine’s statehood and independence for a long time. More than three years of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. Over 11 years of a treacherous hybrid war that began with the occupation of Crimea and the battles in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Everyone must ensure that Russia, the sole source of this war, accepts the need to end it. This can be proved by two forms of silence: no attacks on energy and other civilian infrastructure – a truce for missiles, bombs, long-range drones; no military operations in the Black Sea. The next step is basic trust in the circumstances in which the negotiations are taking place. Ukrainians, all Europeans, Americans, every human heart in the world that does not agree with the war – we all need to feel that the Russians are not deceiving us. The release of prisoners could serve as a means of establishing basic trust.

We are very grateful to the United States for all the support. I’m thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and American people. Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale invasion. America’s help has been vital in helping us survive, and I want to acknowledge that. Despite the tough dialogue, we remain strategic partners. But we need to be honest and direct with each other to truly understand our shared goals.