President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about communications with the European Union and individual EU member states.

"There were many activities - both diplomatic and internal political."

Firstly, a government task force is being established to prepare for the upcoming heating season. This decision was made following today's meeting with representatives of the government, as well as the largest state energy companies and regulators.

The Prime Minister, ministers of energy and economy, minister of community development and territories, heads of Naftogaz, Ukrenergo, Energoatom, and NERC. There was also a deputy head of the President's Office involved in this area.

No matter what the occupiers plan for themselves, we must prepare for next winter - on our territory, for all citizens. We discussed today issues such as gas procurement for the heating season, coal stockpiling, and electricity production.

Given the current situation due to Russia's aggression, this will be the most difficult winter since Ukraine gained independence. But! Everything is fine. We must get through it so that our people feel that the state functions normally.

During this time, we will not sell our gas or coal abroad. All domestic production will be directed towards meeting the needs of our citizens.

At the same time, we are doing everything possible to increase our electricity export capacity. The existing power capacities in Ukraine allow for this. And after our historic accession to the European Union's unified energy grid, such exports not only increase our currency revenue but also directly impact the stabilization of the energy situation in neighboring countries that are reducing their consumption of Russian energy resources.

Another important aspect is the repair program for TES, TETS, and boilers. Especially those damaged or completely destroyed by Russian strikes. Implementing this program over the next few months - this is one of the top tasks for Ukraine's Ministry of Energy.

I want to emphasize separately that the government has set a very specific task to do everything possible so that gas and electricity tariffs will not change in the upcoming heating season. People are already struggling because of the war. This will be ensured.

Local authorities are responsible for heat and hot water tariffs, and at the local level, there must also be a tariff stability this winter.

I also held a meeting regarding communication with the European Union and individual EU member states concerning our application and obtaining candidate status. 

Diplomatic activity in this direction does not stop for a single day. Every day I listen to reports, including about the preparation of procedural decisions in the European Union.

And the team from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our diplomats, and the government as a whole - everyone, absolutely everyone is working so that by June there will be a significant historic decision that we all await. Ukraine has done everything necessary for this on its side.

As they say in such cases: the ball is now in the court of European structures and countries. 

The frontline situation in Ukraine over the past day did not undergo significant changes. An absolutely heroic defense of Donbas continues. The hottest spots are the same - primarily Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Popasna.

It is felt, absolutely felt, that the occupiers did not believe our military resistance would be so strong and now they are trying to mobilize additional resources on the Donbas front. As well as in Kherson - transferring new units there to restrain our actions. 

But what is the point for them? The majority of the occupation forces have already clearly understood that they have no prospects in Ukraine. We are fixing this mood through intercepts of conversations. This is precisely the prevailing mood in the Russian army. We are free people. You do not own us.

More than 31,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine since February 24th. Russia pays for its absolutely pointless war against Ukraine almost 300 lives of its soldiers daily. And one day the number of losses will exceed even what Russia considers acceptable.

We are actively working to attract funds to support our army and to restore Ukraine after military actions. On territories that have already been deoccupied, we are restoring electricity, gas supply, water supply, and communications. It is not easy, but we are doing it. Of course, there is still a lot more to do. 

We need to equip hospitals again, conduct demining operations. And, of course, rebuild everything destroyed by the occupiers.

One of the tools for this - the state crowdfunding platform UNITED24. In just its first month of operation, it has already attracted over one and a half billion hryvnia in funds. I am grateful to everyone who contributed to its creation and work.

Today, Elina Svitolina, our well-known and very successful tennis player, became the ambassador for UNITED24. Along with Andriy Shevchenko, the first ambassador of UNITED24, Elina will work to attract new support for our country. Everything for Ukraine. Exactly like this, working together, each one of us can return normal life to all territories that our military have secured.

And another piece of news that we can announce now. Next week the special "Book of Fugitives" - an information system collecting verified data on war criminals and criminals from the Russian army - is scheduled for launch.

I have repeatedly emphasized that all of them will definitely face responsibility. And we are gradually approaching this goal.

The creation of such an information system has been ongoing for some time now. It's specific facts about specific individuals responsible for specific cruel crimes against Ukrainians. And the "Book of Fugitives" is not only a tool for holding direct war criminals - soldiers of the occupation army - accountable, but also their commanders who gave orders and made it possible for them to commit all these atrocities in Ukraine. In Bucha, Mariupol, in all our cities and villages.

Everyone will be held responsible.

Eternal glory to those whose lives were taken by the occupiers!

Eternal glory to everyone who brings us closer to victory!

Glory to Ukraine!»