Petro Beshta

I instructed all our missions to international organizations to make full use of the multilateral toolbox in response to last night’s barbaric Russian missile attack on Kyiv. UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, and UNESCO should provide an adequate and strong response to the aggressor, which is attempting to compensate for the lack of military advances on the battlefield with terror against civilians. We immediately request an urgent UN Security Council meeting and a joint meeting of OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation and OSCE Permanent Council. Putin is trying to intimidate Ukraine by attacking civilians and destroying residential buildings, museums, schools, and critical infrastructure. He is also trying to intimidate the world by launching IRBMs against peaceful cities. All of this requires strong and coordinated action by the international community. We urge our partners to resolute multilateral actions aimed at deterring Russia and compelling it toward a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.

Tonight, the Russians struck Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities and communities. The largest number of missiles was directed at the capital – at ordinary residential buildings, at schools; they burned down a food market, one of Kyiv’s oldest markets. The Russian strike effectively destroyed the Chornobyl Museum, damaged the National Art Museum and the building housing the office of Germany’s ARD. As of now, 69 people have been reported injured in the capital. Tragically, two people were killed in this senseless Russian attack. My condolences to everyone who has lost family members and loved ones. I have already spoken with the President of France and the Prime Minister of Norway. There will be further communication with our partners today. I am grateful to everyone who is not staying silent about what Russia is doing. They are waging war solely against our people – against our memory, our history, and everything that makes up normal human life. It is important that Russia understands that they will be held accountable for all these crimes.

Since last night, first responders and all necessary services have been working wherever needed. As of now, at least 83 people have been confirmed injured since midnight. Tragically, there are fatalities. My condolences to the families and loved ones. It was a heavy attack – 90 missiles of various types, many of them ballistic missiles – 36 in total. There were 600 drones. Unfortunately, not all of the ballistic missiles were intercepted – the largest number of hits was in Kyiv. Kyiv was the primary target of this Russian attack. Putin can’t even pronounce the word “hurrah” clearly anymore – slurs and mumbles – yet he is still vanquishing residential buildings with his missiles. Launched three Russian missiles against a water supply facility. Burned down a market. Damaged dozens of residential buildings. Hit several ordinary schools. Launched his “Oreshnik” against Bila Tserkva. They really are unhinged. It is important that this does not pass without consequences for Russia. Today, everyone in the world who will not stay silent and chooses to help Ukraine is a defender of life. It is critically important to continue working to secure air defense for Ukraine, especially anti-ballistic capabilities. We are doing our best to achieve peace and protect people – everything. It is important that Ukraine is not alone. Decisions are needed – from the United States, from Europe and others – to make that old “Oreshnik” in Moscow finally utter the word “peace.”

Putin wanted to show “strength” but only confirmed his weakness. Overnight, Russia carried out one of the largest terrorist attacks on Kyiv with around 600 drones, many dozens of ballistic, air-ballistic, and cruise missiles, and a dummy IRBM. Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, and Zhytomyr regions were also under attack. As of now, at least two civilian people have been reported killed and many dozens injured. These numbers may grow. Many residential buildings have been damaged. Unable to achieve any results on the battlefield, Putin turns to terror against civilians. This strike was probably meant to demonstrate “strength” to the domestic audience, but instead it only confirms Putin’s weakness. Even Russians see that he is a loser. His “special operation” is not achieving any results. Losses are enormous, but there is not a single achieved goal. Except that there are no safe places in Russia any more, as Ukraine ramps up its special long-range sanctions. To our allies, I want to say this: it is time to double down, not back down, in supporting Ukraine and increasing pressure on the Russian regime. We call for additional defense capabilities, including to protect our sky; investment in our defense industry; increased pressure on Russia, including entry ban for Russian combatants, full use of frozen assets; strong political decisions with regard to Ukraine’s EU accession and other steps. The world has the leverage. It needs to be used right — to show Moscow that such strikes will not bring any results — and force Russia to end this war.

We are actively engaged in diplomatic work with our partners in the European Union to bring Ukraine’s membership in the EU closer. Ukraine is fighting for its life, for its independence, and for the Europe that has lived in peace the longest, that protects people, life and culture, and that, thanks to this protection, plays a truly global role. There can be no complete European project without Ukraine, and Ukraine’s place in the European Union must also be complete – full and equal. It is important to open the clusters. It is important to make meaningful progress in the negotiations. It is important to work at one hundred percent for security and for our people.

🇺🇦🇸🇮A warm congratulations to @JJansaSDS upon election as Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia! We are grateful to Slovenia's steadfast support amid Russia's full-scale aggression. I look forward to working together in deepening our economic ties, expanding our cooperation in energy and innovation, and advancing our shared vision of a secure and prosperous Europe.

Overnight, Russia heavily bombarded Dnipro, damaging residential buildings and energy infrastructure. Odesa was under strikes as well, including a Chinese trade vessel. Eight regions have been targeted, many people injured, including children. Russia’s continued terror demonstrates that there are no alternatives for strong steps by our partners. The cost of continuing this war must continue to increase for Moscow: through stronger pressure on Russia’s war economy and enhanced support for Ukraine.

For each of us, the word “Mother” carries something deeply personal. It means warmth, care, strength, and the feeling of home we always long to return to. And no matter how old we are, a mother’s love remains a source of support and faith. Russia’s war has changed the lives of millions of Ukrainian families, but it has not broken the strength and resilience of Ukrainian mothers. They wait for their children, pray for them, support and protect them, believe in their sons and daughters against all odds, and do everything possible to ensure their children have a happy childhood and a decent future. Today, I just want to thank every Ukrainian Mother for a love without limits, for patience, strength, and for hearts that always make room for hope. Happy Mother’s Day!

On the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II, we honor those who fought against Nazism and remember the millions of lives destroyed by the Second World War. For Ukraine, this is not only about history. Here, in heart of Europe, we once again face a brutal war, driven by imperial ambitions, destruction, deportations, and mass crimes against civilians. Russia tries to present itself as the heir of victory over Nazism while turning remembrance into propaganda. The reality is much simpler. Soldiers responsible for Bucha, Mariupol, and Izium, as well as for many many other crimes, have no moral right to march under the banners of liberation. Real ceasefires are about saving lives — not about satisfying the ambitions of the blood-stained Kremlin war criminal-in-chief. Peace cannot be staged for one day while missiles and drones continue to target civilians the next morning. The lessons of WWII were meant to end the division of Europe into spheres of influence and prevent aggression from being rewarded through appeasement. Yet they were never fully learned, because for decades the world preferred to commemorate past tragedies rather than confront the conditions that make them possible again. Security in Europe depends on strength, unity, and the willingness to confront those who believe borders can still be changed by force and nations can be denied their right to exist. Today, Ukraine fights not only for itself, but for a Europe where peace is defended by action and principles, not slogans.

Russia violated the ceasefire initiated by Ukraine at midnight between May 5th and 6th. Russian attacks with the use of 108 drones and 3 missiles continued throughout the night, including morning strikes on Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia. Moscow once again ignored a realistic and fair call to end hostilities, supported by other states and international organisations. This shows that Russia rejects peace and its fake calls for a ceasefire on May 9th have nothing to do with diplomacy. Putin only cares about military parades, not human lives. Such attitude necessitates strong and increased pressure on the Russian regime, including new rounds of sanctions, isolation, accountability for Russian crimes, and enhanced support for Ukraine in all areas.

We will go after Russia’s shadow grain fleet and its enablers across all geographies. According to available data, between January and April 2026 alone, 25 vessels from the Russian grain fleet made approximately 50 direct voyages from closed Ukrainian ports in the temporarily occupied territories to ports in third countries. Most of these trips were for the purpose of transporting illegal grain shipments. During this period, over 850.000 tons of grain were exported from the occupied territories of Ukraine. More than 50% of this total was illegally transported from a single closed port in the city of Sevastopol. An additional 13% of the total volume was shipped from the Azov Sea ports of Mariupol and Berdiansk. We know about the vessels, the companies, the owners, and other details. We see how Russia attempts to avoid responsibility by turning off transponders, spoofing coordinates, and conducting ship-to-ship transfers to conceal the illegal sale of stolen Ukrainian grain. We will not let this pass. Ukraine has consistently addressed the issue of closed seaports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov within the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In particular, IMO Assembly Resolution A.1183(33) of December 4th, 2023, called upon Member States to inform their vessels, shipowners, ship operators, and insurance brokers of the need to refrain from violating the regime of closed seaports and to conduct investigations into alleged breaches of this regime. Furthermore, Ukraine has its own very painful historical sensitivity to stolen grain. Our nation has experienced a genocide by hunger, the Holodomor, in which grain was taken away from our people. We warn all entities and nations that we will react strongly to any theft of our grain. That is why Ukraine will step up its efforts to counter Russia's shadow grain fleet, initiating new sanctions in the EU, G7, and other jurisdictions on everyone involved in this theft and illegal trade. We will be working with partners to update relevant lists and ensure targeted and severe restrictions.

“Chornobyl” is the only correct spelling Ukraine asks the world to use. Using Ukrainian transliterations respects Ukraine’s language and culture and moves away from Russian forms that were imposed by Russia during the Soviet era. It is also part of a wider effort to decolonise language and correct long-standing imbalances in global usage. Using the correct transliteration for a place in Ukraine affirms recognition of Ukraine as a sovereign state – a fact Russia tries to deny. We welcome the decision of states and international organisations to adopt the Ukrainian spelling of Chornobyl, including in the UN resolution of December 10, 2025. Like Kyiv, Chornobyl reflects Ukrainian pronunciation and thus aligns with the global practice of updating place names for linguistic correctness. The successful shift from the Russian spelling “Kiev” to the Ukrainian “Kyiv” is a clear example of this trend. All Ukrainian cities deserve to have their names rendered correctly. #ChornobylNotChernobyl #Chornobyl40

Over the past day and night, Russia carried out a massive terrorist attack against Ukraine with almost 700 drones, dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles. The attack primarily targeted civilians. At least 4 people were killed in Kyiv, including a 12-year-old child, with over 50 more injured, 8 killed in Odesa, 3 killed and three dozen injured in Dnipro, 1 killed in Zaporizhzhia. Such attacks cannot be normalised. These are war crimes that must be stopped and their perpetrators held to account. We urge the international community to take immediate action. All decisions required to increase pressure on the aggressor must be unblocked now. It is immoral, counterproductive, and dangerous to delay sanctions against Russia or packages of support for Ukraine. Any day of further inaction on critical decisions sends wrong signals and encourages the aggressor to continue, prolong, and expand the war. We reiterate our call for all states to join the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine by notifying the Council of Europe of the intent to join its Enlarged Partial Agreement. The most appropriate response to Russian terror is the inevitability of justice for the leadership of the Russian terrorist regime.

‼️ ZELENSKYY: For the first time in the war, an enemy position was captured entirely by ground robotic systems and drones - without any infantry. A robot entered the most dangerous zones instead of a soldier and took the positions. «The future is here, on the battlefield, and Ukraine is creating it. These are our ground robotic systems. For the first time in this war's history, an enemy position was taken exclusively by unmanned GRS platforms and drones. The occupiers surrendered, and this operation was completed without infantry involvement and without losses on our side. Ratel, Termite, Ardal, Lynx, Zmiy, Protector, Volya and other GRS completed over 22 000 missions at the front in just 3 months. In other words, over 22 000 times lives were saved. A robot went into the most dangerous zones instead of a soldier» - Zelenskyy’s address to the workers of Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex. April 13th, 2026.

Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates today. Christ is risen! For the fifth year in a row, Ukrainian families mark this day during Russia’s full-scale war. But we keep what matters most — faith. Faith in life, in those around us, and in our country. And the certainty that light will overcome darkness. Today we spare a special thought for our brave men and women in uniform who are holding the line far from their loved ones. We thank them for their service and defense of our country. I also wish a joyful Easter to all Ukrainian families and communities abroad. Wherever you are — on all continents and in all countries — you are part of our big Ukrainian family. We all hope for a lasting peace, security, and justice to be restored.

🇺🇦 After years of Russian captivity, 175 Ukrainian servicemembers and 7 civilians have returned home! Among them are defenders of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Mariupol, and the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kyiv, and Kursk directions. Some of them are wounded. We thank all Ukrainian units who help strengthen our exchange fund, and everyone around the world who supports prisoner exchanges! Bringing every Ukrainian back is a matter of principle for Ukraine.

Happy Easter to everyone celebrating today! This day reminds us of the power of goodness and truth, which always overcome darkness. Easter morning brings not only joy – it brings hope that evil will inevitably be defeated, and that light will surely prevail. This year again, many Ukrainians will not be able to be with their families at the festive table. Ukraine, along with our partners, continues to work so that a “wartime Easter” disappears from our lives forever, and a normal Easter returns – a holiday we will celebrate in a just and lasting peace. May this holiday bring warmth to every family, unite us, give us strength, and remind us of the value of life and mutual support. May the light of this day protect every defender of Ukraine. Christ is Risen!

Today, NATO marks 77 years of safeguarding collective defence and strengthening Euro-Atlantic security. For decades, the Alliance has stood as a powerful and reliable shield, protecting its members. Ukraine sees its future within NATO, as membership remains the most effective guarantee of lasting peace and security. The security of Ukraine and the Alliance is indivisible – our strength lies in unity. We are deeply grateful to NATO and its Allies for their unwavering support. This solidarity is a true demonstration of partnership in action. In turn, Ukraine stands ready not only to receive support, but also to contribute actively to strengthening NATO. Especially now, in this new reality where global security is more interconnected than ever, it is clear that Ukraine’s membership in NATO would benefit the Alliance. We strengthen one another. Today, as Ukraine-NATO relationship grows closer than ever, we look forward to a shared future. Wishing NATO continued success and many more years of unity and strength.

Russian losses this March have reached their highest level since the start of the war: our drone strikes alone resulted in 33,988 Russian servicemembers killed or seriously wounded, while artillery and other strikes eliminated another 1,363 Russian occupiers. That means more than 35,000 Russian losses in just one month – and these are clearly verified losses. We have video documentation of every such strike in our system. I thank all our warriors for their precision. I will especially recognize the warriors of the Special Operations Center “A” of Ukraine’s Security Service, the “Magyar's Birds,” the State Border Guard Service special unit “Phoenix,” “Lasar’s Group,” and the 95th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade – these are the most effective units in the use of drones. The Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov, briefed me on the performance of all units at the front. We have clear and verified reports for every direction and every type of strike. We are ready to provide the relevant data to our partners. Essentially, Ukraine’s Defense and Security Forces have denied the occupier the ability to dictate the situation on the front line. Importantly, the results in the destruction of Russia’s air defense systems have also significantly increased, with 274 such systems hit in March alone. There have also been tangible results in the destruction of Russian depots and military logistics. The Ministry of Defense, together with the Armed Forces, will present a detailed report to the public for March – data that may be made public. I also approved with the Minister today a number of tasks for the coming weeks. In particular, we are preparing decisions to strengthen the Ukrainian infantry, the army contract system, and measures to address AWOL cases – measures that must genuinely work in practice. We are also preparing decisions to scale up the export opportunities of our weapons manufacturers and joint productions with partners. I thank our Defense Forces for the results! Glory to Ukraine!

Today, I took part in a global virtual summit of more than 40 countries, convened by my dear British colleague @YvetteCooperMP, on Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Ukraine’s position is clear: terror must be met with decisive action. Freedom of navigation must be protected. The principles of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea must be upheld — in Hormuz, just as in the Black Sea. And we must give Russia no opportunity to exploit the Middle East crisis to finance its war machine. Ukraine is already contributing in practical ways to the security of Gulf countries. Our experts are there because our expertise saves lives. Ukraine’s combat experience matters in the Middle East. Because global security is interconnected. And we must not turn a blind eye to cooperation between Iran and Russia. Autocrats learn from one another. Terrorist regimes exchange know-how. What Iran is doing today in Hormuz, Russia did in the Black Sea in 2022. We overcame Russia’s blockade through naval drones, smart strategy, and above all, decisiveness. Exactly this is the mindset the world needs today. Ukraine is ready to contribute.