We all need to work together to remove the dangers in Hormuz in a way that helps protect freedom of navigation everywhere in the world. The decisions made now on Hormuz will shape what other troublemakers might think about causing problems – in other straits and on other fronts. We must be as concrete and clear as possible so that we don't end up, six months from now, like in Gaza – where lots yet has to be done – security there is still largely fragile, reconstruction hasn’t really started, and many humanitarian problems remain unresolved. In Hormuz, there are security tasks that can’t be solved by political decisions only.

At the EU Council meeting I said: just like authorities confiscate money from drug-traffickers and seize weapons from terrorists, Russian assets must be used to defend against Russian aggression and rebuild what was destroyed by Russian attacks. It’s moral. It’s fair. It’s legal. I’m grateful to EU leaders for their attention and support for Ukraine. We’ve all come a long way – and yes, there were many challenges and moments of doubt. But the fact remains – Europe achieved a lot, and Putin didn’t break Ukraine, and he didn’t make Europe look like a loser.

Glory to Ukraine 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
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Слава Україні 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

Fruitful diplomacy ahead. Sunday – visit to Greece and important agreement on natural gas imports. Monday – historic deal with France in Paris to strengthen our combat aviation and air defense. Tuesday – talks in Spain on bolstering our air defense and initiatives with partners. Not a single day is wasted for Ukraine. Today, we have already prepared an agreement with Greece on gas for Ukraine, which will be another gas supply route to secure imports for the winter as much as possible.

Today, I addressed EU leaders at European Council meeting at a very important moment—a time when Russia is actively trying to turn the cold weather into weapon.

Ukraine knows what to do to prevent the worst scenarios. And this requires decisive and urgent collective action. The Russians want Ukraine to enter winter in a blackout. Most of the Russian missile and drone strikes are aimed at destroying normal life in our cities and communities—to force people to flee or to leave them completely without electricity.

Russia is openly trying to destroy our civilian infrastructure right now, ahead of winter – our gas infrastructure, our power generation and transmission. Zero real reaction from the world. We will fight so that the world does not remain silent and so that Russia feels the response. Every Russian missile and every Russian attack drone also contains parts that are still being supplied to Russia from Western countries and various countries close to Russia. Now, in the fourth year of the full-scale war, it is simply strange to hear anyone claim they don’t know how to stop the flow of critical components.

I addressed the Warsaw Security Forum: Ukraine proposes to Poland and all partners to build a joint, reliable shield against Russian aerial threats. Ukraine can counter all types of drones and missiles. Together, we will have enough weapons and production capacity for this. Today, we remember the words of Jerzy Giedroyc: without a free Ukraine, there can be no free Poland. Russians never stop at just one country. History has shown this many times.

Today, no one but ourselves can guarantee security. Only strong alliances. Only strong partners, only our own weapons. The 21st century isn’t much different from the past. If a nation wants peace, it still has to work on weapons. It’s sick but real. Weapons decide who survives. International law doesn’t work fully unless you have powerful friends willing to stand up for it. And even that doesn’t work without weapons. There are no security guarantees except friends and weapons. That’s why we invest in defense.

I addressed the UN Security Council. We must admit – the world’s attention to the UN is fading. The Organization has less influence, and too often there is a lack of real decisions on fundamental issues. The tools are not working now. But they will, if you are active. I thank the Republic of Korea for this Security Council meeting and the chance to call for peace. Today there must be a clear call for peace. But here is one of the main distortions of our time: whom must we call to peace, and on whom must we press to achieve it?

At the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children Summit at the leaders’ level I said: this year we’ll introduce a resolution condemning child abduction and deportation. Forcibly taking children to re-educate for another nation is a crime. The UN must say this clearly. I hope this format will bring progress in solving a very sensitive issue – the fate of Ukrainian children. Thousands are victims of Russia’s double crime: abducted and deported, and now tries to steal their culture, character, their bond with family, and their identity.

Our counteroffensive operation in the Donetsk Region—Pokrovsk and Dobropillia sectors—continues. It was one of the most important axes for the Russians, but they failed to mount a full-scale offensive here. Our army is destroying their forces—inflicting heavy losses, taking POWs. There will be new deep strikes in retaliation to Russia's actions. I held a Staff meeting today. Main topic—production of our weapons. We have clear understanding of volumes—what our army needs till the end of the year, for the next year, and what we need to have in stock.

On the battlefield situation: it remains difficult. It’s complicated because of the enemy numbers, the volume of drones, shifting technologies: today one kind of drone/EW line works; tomorrow drones and engines change, other EW lines work. What matters first: we control the front. Claims that Russia is “advancing in the east” are misplaced. I heard this from many. Russia is better at disinformation than on the battlefield. Their advantage is in manpower numbers. Their strongest grouping is in the east, but they are in very difficult conditions.

Putin doesnʼt believe in Europe, America, the West. So he wages war. He believes in China, Iran, North Korea, seeks strategic treaties there. He bets money will corrupt everyone and buy indulgence. His plan: try to buy indulgence and continue the war. Question is: whoʼs buying? When the envoy of President Trump is in Kyiv, there are no massive Russian air strikes. This doesnʼt work with representatives of other states or international organizations, even the UN, OSCE or IMF. Perhaps it would work with a representative of China, but it seems China is not interested in stopping – even if not the whole war – at least the strikes.

Since 1 am, our military tracked the movement of Russian drones toward the Polish border. This was not an accident or a mistake, it was deliberate. Russia used both Ukrainian and Belarusian territory to enter Polish airspace. Almost two dozen drones entered Poland, and it seems that less than half of the total number came from Ukraine. This was a calculated Russian activity. And we all saw the result, how difficult it was to counter.

Addressing the Ambrosetti Forum I stressed: Europe needs a new network of modern defense production – countries supporting each other, producing protection not just for themselves but for all of Europe. This will make Europe stronger and more resilient. Even as Russia tries to prolong the war, we are already building a security system that will push it toward peace. On land, in the air, at sea – our strength that will pressure Russia to stop the war.

A strong Ukrainian army is and will remain the central element of security guarantees. Its capabilities – funding, weapons, production – that we ensure now, and should be in a year, in five years, in ten years from now. Both in wartime and to guarantee security in peace. Today was the largest meeting of the Coalition of the Willing so far in terms of the number of countries. I thank all the leaders who joined us today in Paris and online, as well as the representatives of states, for their engagement, ideas, and their readiness to support us on the path to peace with concrete steps.

At Ukraine-Nordic-Baltic States Summit, I noted that Russian economy is in bad shape: fuel and labor shortages, many industries in decline. Putin constantly humiliates before China as he tries to sell them as much raw material as possible. This is telling – sanctions are working. Last night, Russia launched another massive strike – nearly 500 drones and over 20 missiles, including ballistic. These strikes are now regular, several times a week. A clear signal that Russia rejects any attempt to end the war and wants to keep fighting. We must assume this is Russia’s main scenario now.

Two weeks ago in Washington, it was stated that by this time the Russians should be ready for real negotiations—a meeting at the leaders’ level. Ukraine is definitely ready for this. But the only thing Russia is doing is investing further in war. All their signals point to that. Now, during his visit to China, Putin will once again try to wriggle out. That is his number one sport. Everyone in the world has declared that the fire must cease. Everyone has insisted that the war must end. That has also been China’s position.

In Washington we heard that Putin is supposedly ready to end the war – to meet at the leaders’ level and resolve key issues. But instead he chooses ballistics over any real steps toward peace. He kills children in order not to talk about when and how peace will come. All day in Kyiv, rescue operations continued after one of the largest Russian strikes – nearly 600 drones and 31 missiles, including ballistic. At least 19 people were killed, among them 4 children. My deepest condolences to their families and loved ones.

In Mukachevo, the Russians practically burned down an American company producing electronics—home appliances, nothing military. The Russians knew exactly where they lobbed the missiles. We believe this was a deliberate attack against American property and investments in Ukraine. Telling attack, right as the world awaits a clear answer from Russia on negotiations to end the war. There are two formats—at the level of leaders—where progress is feasible. Bilateral—Ukraine and Russia. And trilateral—Ukraine, the US, and Russia. We discussed this in Washington. Putin spoke about it on the call with President Trump.

Today in Brussels, I outlined our positions on transatlantic unity, peace efforts, territorial issues, and security guarantees, including Ukraine’s EU accession.

It’s crucial that Europe remains as united as it was in 2022. This strong unity is essential to achieve a real peace. We have to stop the killings. Putin has many demands but we do not know all of them. If there are really as many as we heard, then it will take time to go through them all. It is impossible to do this under the pressure of weapons.