"Ukrainians! Ukrainian women!"

All our defenders and defenderesses!

Finally, we have specifics regarding the sixth sanctions package of the European Union against Russia for this war. The package has been agreed upon.

Its ratification and coming into effect will take some time. But already the key elements of the package are clear, and most importantly—its direction.

European countries have agreed to significant restrictions on importing oil from Russia. And I am grateful to everyone who worked towards achieving this agreement. The practical result is that tens of billions of euros which Russia will no longer be able to direct toward funding terror are now out of the picture.

But it's also important to understand that Europe’s refusal to import Russian oil and other fossil fuels will accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources. Strategically, this leaves the Russian state behind in today's economy. With such an aggressive policy and a course towards isolation from civilized society, Russia simply cannot adapt. Therefore, it loses economically.

We also expect the disconnection of one of the largest Russian banks, Sberbank, from SWIFT within the sixth sanctions package. Finally—stopping the broadcasting of Russian disinformation channels in Europe. And new personal sanctions.

We will continue to work on new restrictions against Russia for this war. As soon as the sixth package is implemented, we will immediately start preparing the seventh one. After all, there should be no significant economic relations between the free world and a state that is a terrorist.

I discussed further EU sanctions policy with President of Slovakia Zuzana Čaputová today. I am grateful to her, a true friend of Ukraine, for visiting Kyiv today, for substantive talks, and for an inspiring speech in the Verkhovna Rada.

Slovakia has been one of our most important partners in defense since the beginning of the full-scale war. And we will continue this cooperation.

We also talked today about Ukraine's European movement. Ms. Zuzana personally helps to accelerate our country’s integration. And we will always be grateful for that.

We are preparing and implementing solutions for more effective management of processes at the border between our countries, including joint customs control.

At the beginning of her visit to Ukraine, President Čaputová visited Irpin and Borodyanka and saw with her own eyes the destruction carried out by the Russian army. Anyone who sees this firsthand no longer needs convincing why Russia must bear maximum responsibility for this war.

I believe that Slovakia will provide all necessary assistance to hold accountable all Russian war criminals and rebuild everything they destroyed after the war.

Today, I want to address those in Ukraine who are trying to push our military forces or dictate how we should advance and where we should repel enemies first. Ukraine values every opinion. But Ukraine values most of all every life. And this is an axiom. And Ukraine will never do what Russia does—throw people into the fires of battle just because Moscow wants something captured in a few days or by a certain date.

Our military, intelligence services, National Guard, and everyone involved in defending the country are gradually but inevitably unraveling all plans of the occupiers.

The frontline situation needs to be evaluated comprehensively. Not just by one sector where it is most intense and attracts the most attention, but across the entire front.

The situation on the Donbas front is very complex. Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Kramatorsk are currently at the epicenter of confrontation. Given the presence of large chemical production in Severodonetsk, Russian army strikes there, including blind air bombardment—this is simply madness. But after 97 days of such a war, it no longer surprises that for Russian soldiers, commanders, and troops any kind of madness—is absolutely acceptable.

On the Kherson front, we have certain successes as well as advances in the Kharkiv region. Ukrainian armed forces are holding back the pressure of occupiers in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a key direction—Hulyai Pole and Oril.

In this broad picture, it is important to see that our defenders and defenderesses show maximum bravery and remain masters of the frontline situation despite the fact that Russian army still has significant superiority in technology and numbers.

Of course, everyone in Ukraine wants all our territories and people to be freed as soon as possible. The complete restoration of territorial integrity of our state is our goal. But we must act carefully, valuing life.

Everyone at every level should now be advocates for supplying our country with modern heavy weapons, modern artillery systems. All those systems that can truly speed up Ukraine's victory.

Talk about this everywhere where it is useful and where it will be heard. Talk to politicians of partner states, representatives of foreign media, even your friends abroad. This narrative about the need to provide Ukraine with sufficient weapons for victory must remain constant. I work on this every day.

I signed a new decree awarding our heroes. 215 participants in combat actions have been awarded state awards, 17 of them posthumously.

Eternal glory to all who gave their lives for Ukraine!

Eternal glory to all who fight for our independence!

Glory to Ukraine!"