President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about the intensification of Russia's gas blackmail against Europe and important personnel decisions in the SBU and GUR.

"I wish you good health, dear Ukrainians!

Today, the President of Guatemala visited Kyiv — the first such visit since our independence. It is not just about receiving full support from this Latin American country but also about establishing relations that serve as a gateway to the entire Latin American region.

Ukrainian diplomacy is gradually opening new strategic directions for our society — Central and South America, Africa, Arab countries, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.

Unfortunately, there has been little attention paid to these macroregions. This becomes evident when we need to accumulate support for Ukraine, especially on international stages.

I am grateful to Guatemala and President Giammattei, with whom I held talks today, for their principled and consistent condemnation of Russian aggression and participation in the defense of international law.

The crises created by Russia affect everyone around the world. No one can remain aloof when Russia provokes chaos on food markets, energy markets, or in international relations.

Based on our talks today, I am confident that Ukraine's position will be heard in Latin America. We agreed with President Giammattei to cancel visa restrictions and restart trade-economic relations between our countries.

Today we saw another gas threat against Europe. Even after Russia took a step regarding the turbine for "North Stream," it does not intend to resume gas supplies to European countries as required by contracts. This is all done deliberately to make it extremely difficult for Europeans to prepare for winter. And this is an outright gas war that Russia is waging against united Europe — and this is how we must perceive it. They do not care what will happen to people, how they will suffer — from hunger due to port blockades or from cold and poverty in the winter... Or from occupation. These are just different forms of terror.

Therefore, we need to respond forcefully. Not think about how to return a turbine but strengthen sanctions. Do everything to limit Russia's revenues not only from gas and oil but also from any remaining exports. And sever trade ties with Russia as much as possible because each such tie is a potential means of pressure for Russia.

The intensifying monthly gas blackmail against Europe serves the state-terrorist regime to worsen life for every European. This can indeed be seen as an incentive for the eighth EU sanctions package to be significantly heavier than the recently approved seventh one.

I made important personnel decisions today. In particular, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov will lead the Committee on Intelligence Matters at the President of Ukraine. The new commander of Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is combat general Viktor Khorenko. And General Hryhoriy Halagan is being transferred to another direction and appointed first deputy head of the Center for Special Operations "A" SBU.

And separately, I would like to thank today our airborne troops, Sychevskiy Brigade, who 'landed' two Russian military aircraft and one helicopter — in a little more than one day. We must do everything to expand this experience of 'landing' on all Russian aviation and missile products in our airspace.

Eternal glory to all those fighting for Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!"