GUAM Secretariat

Appeal of the #ODEDGUAM Secretary General Altai Efendiev

Russia launched one of its most massive drone assaults against Ukraine to date, deploying nearly 1,000 strike UAVs over the course of a single day – from the evening of March 23 to the evening of March 24. Russia also deployed at least seven missiles. In just nine daytime hours alone on March 24, Russia launched at least 556 drones, targeting multiple regions of Ukraine – from Chernihiv, Sumy, and Poltava regions to Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi and Lviv. The aggressor state targeted Ukraine’s cultural heritage, energy infrastructure, our people, and even new life as maternity hospitals have come under Russia's attack. At least four people were killed, and at least 70 more were injured. This is a deliberate campaign of terror. It demands immediate international pressure – strong enough to stop the aggressor.

Russia struck the heart of Lviv – a historic centre recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On 24 March, Russian drones hit central areas of the city, damaging homes and a protected cultural landmark. At least 13 civilians were injured. The same day, other Ukrainian cities – including Vinnytsia, Ternopil, Zhytomyr, and Ivano-Frankivsk – were also targeted. At least 3 people were killed. 💬 "Russia is doing exactly what the Iranian regime is doing in the Middle East, but in the middle of Europe. Russia proves its status of a terrorist state. And this is how it must be dealt with – through strength, not weakness, and increased pressure on all fronts," said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, @andrii_sybiha. Ukraine has called on the UNESCO Director-General to respond to this crime in the strongest terms. Russia must be held accountable.

Russia has once again attacked Ukraine, killing three civilians and injuring at least 12. In the Poltava region, residential buildings, a hotel, and industrial facilities were damaged by Russian strikes. Two people were killed and seven others injured, including one child. In Zaporizhzhia, one person was killed and five others injured as a result of a combined Russian strike. A high-rise building caught fire at one location, while a residential building was partially damaged at another. These attacks once again demonstrate that Russia has no intention of ending its war. What matters is the determination of the international community. United pressure can stop Russia's aggression.

Russia’s strikes on civilian energy infrastructure in Ukraine are a war crime — and an attack on all of us. Overnight strikes disconnected Moldova’s key power link with Europe. Alternative routes are in place, but the situation remains fragile. Russia alone bears responsibility.

We strongly condemn last night’s attacks on energy infrastructure in southern Ukraine, which affected the Isaccea–Vulcănești power line supplying electricity to the Republic of Moldova. These actions undermine regional energy security & endanger critical civilian infrastructure.

Recovery efforts are underway in our regions following last night’s massive Russian attack. In Zaporizhzhia and Poltava, ordinary apartment buildings were damaged, and fires broke out. Nearly 40 drones were launched against Shostka in the Sumy region. In Slatyne, in the Kharkiv region, a drone struck an electric train. Overall, damage has been reported in 11 regions. As of now, unfortunately, four people have been reported killed in the attack. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Dozens more have been injured, including children. In total, there were over 390 strike drones and 34 missiles of various types – ballistic, cruise, and guided air-launched missiles. These numbers clearly show that more protection is needed to save lives from Russian strikes. It is important to continue supporting Ukraine. It is important that all agreements on air defense are implemented on time. And it is important that Europe is able to produce the necessary number of air defense missiles to protect itself against any threats. Thank you to everyone who is helping strengthen the defense of Ukraine’s skies!

The Black Sea must once again become a sea of peace and security. There can be no prosperity without security. Today, I addressed the Third Black Sea Security Conference of @crimeaplatform in Chisinau, Moldova, co-organized by @MFA_Ukraine, @MoldovaMFA, @DefenceU, and the MoD of Moldova. I highlighted three key points. First, we must restore peace and return freedom of navigation to the Black Sea. Over the past month, Odesa port infrastructure has faced more Russian attacks than during the entire previous year. This escalation must be met with a strong and decisive response. We must also advance the demining of the Black Sea and counter Russia’s “shadow grain fleet.” Last year, Russia moved over 2 million tons of stolen Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. This illegal activity must be confronted with decisive sanctions. Second, security guarantees for Ukraine must include maritime security. Only a strong presence of our allies in the Black Sea can prevent future Russian aggression. Lasting peace in the region requires not only boots of our allies on our ground but also ships of our allies in our waters. Third, the liberation of Crimea remains the only way to ensure lasting security in the Black Sea and long-term deterrence of Russia. There can be no stable trade in a sea where a militarized peninsula, controlled by an aggressive state, sits at its center. Crimea is Ukraine—it all started with Crimea, and it must end with Crimea. Last year, the EU’s Black Sea Strategy, with security as its first pillar, became an important step forward. As a future EU member and contributor to European security, Ukraine will play a significant role in its implementation. We must view our region in a broader geopolitical perspective. What happens in the Black Sea echoes in the Baltic Sea and vice versa. Our security is indeed indivisible—a single security space, an axis from the Baltic to the Black Sea. The Black Sea region holds many opportunities for prosperity and shared benefits across Europe. But it all begins with security.

The Republic of Moldova is hosting the 3rd Black Sea Security Conference under the International Crimea Platform, with delegates from 30+ states and organizations. We address regional security, energy and food security, and risks to critical infrastructure.

#ODEDGUAM Secretary General H.E. Mr. Altai Efendiev attend the Third Edition of the Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform

Hörmətli həmvətənlər! Sizi Novruz bayramı münasibətilə səmimi-qəlbdən təbrik edir, hər birinizə cansağlığı, səadət və işlərinizdə nailiyyətlər diləyirəm. president.az/az/articles/vi…

Xalqımızın zəngin mədəni irsinin, mənəvi dəyərlərinin, bolluq və bərəkətin, eləcə də yazın gəlişinin rəmzi olan Novruz bayramı münasibətilə əziz xalqımızı səmimi qəlbdən təbrik edirik. Novruz bayramının hər bir evə sevinc, firavanlıq və əmin-amanlıq gətirməsini arzulayırıq. Novruz Bayramınız mübarək!🌸

Hörmətli həmvətənlər! Sizi mübarək Ramazan bayramı münasibətilə ürəkdən təbrik edir, hamınıza ən xoş arzu və diləklərimi yetirirəm. president.az/az/articles/vi…

Müqəddəs Ramazan bayramınız mübarək! 🌙 Mərhəmət, paylaşma və mənəvi saflaşma rəmzi olan bu mübarək bayram münasibətilə bütün İslam aləminə əmin-amanlıq və rifah arzulayırıq. Ramazan bayramının qəlblərə sevinc, süfrələrə bərəkət gətirməsini, birlik və həmrəyliyi daha da gücləndirməsini diləyirik. Allah tutduğunuz orucları, etdiyiniz duaları və bütün xeyir əməllərinizi qəbul etsin! --- Happy Eid al-Fitr! 🌙 On the occasion of this blessed holiday symbolizing compassion, solidarity, and spiritual renewal, we extend our best wishes of peace and prosperity to whole Muslim world. May Eid-al-Fitr bring joy to hearts, abundance to tables, and further strengthen unity and solidarity. May Allah accept your fasting, prayers, and all your good deeds!

On the night of March 19, Russia struck residential districts in Odesa, injuring at least three people. Apartments in a 25-storey building were partially destroyed, with a fire breaking out. Two more buildings were also damaged. Emergency psychologists assisted 19 civilians, including three children, while 70 residents were evacuated from their flats. Russia keeps targeting civilian homes. This is terror – and Russia must be held accountable for every crime.

Russia launched a massive overnight drone and missile attack, targeting energy infrastructure and civilian sites in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipro, and Mykolaiv regions. In the Kyiv region, at least four people were killed and many were injured. Homes, schools, a dormitory, businesses, and warehouses were damaged in four districts across the region. Fires broke out in residential buildings and private homes, with nearly 30 sites damaged. Emergency crews, medics, and police are continuing to clear debris and assist residents. Every such night shows how urgent Ukraine’s need for air defence systems and interceptor missiles remains.

Efforts to deal with the aftermath of the massive Russian attack are currently underway in the Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Mykolaiv regions. All necessary services are involved. The main target for the Russians was the energy infrastructure of the Kyiv region, but unfortunately, there were also direct hits on and damage to ordinary residential buildings, schools, and civilian businesses. As of now, four people have been reported killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Many people have been injured, and some are still seeking medical assistance. Over the course of the night, the Russians launched around 430 drones of various types and a significant number of missiles. There were 13 ballistic missiles alone, and the total number of missiles in this attack was 68. According to preliminary data, 58 of them were intercepted by our air defense system. And every such night of Russian strikes is a reminder to all our partners that air defenses and the missiles for them are effectively a daily necessity. Every agreement on missile supplies cannot wait – everything must be implemented as quickly as possible. Our agreements to increase the production of air defense missiles are a critical direction, and this direction requires one hundred percent attention. Russia will try to exploit the war in the Middle East to cause even greater destruction here in Europe, in Ukraine. This is why we must be fully aware of the real level of the threat and prepare accordingly, namely: in Europe, we need to develop the production of air defense missiles – especially those capable of countering ballistic threats – as well as all other systems necessary to truly protect lives, regardless of what may be happening in any other part of the world. Europe is able to ensure this level of reliable protection. Thank you to everyone who is helping!

Mihai Popșoi: Moldova wants to expand presence of Azerbaijani businesses in the country — INTERVIEW report.az/en/foreign-pol…

Last night's Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure are war crimes. Moldova condemns them unreservedly. The international community must stay focused on Ukraine. This is not the time to waver.