During the meeting of the Stavka of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the situation at the front, Russian strikes on port infrastructure, and the implementation of a plan for long-range sanctions against the Russian Federation were discussed. This was reported by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram, as Ukrinform reports. “For the first time in this format of the Stavka, the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykhailo Drapaty, reported on the situation at the front. Key directions, with special attention to Sloviansk and Kostiantynivka, and the Zaporizhzhia direction. I am grateful to all our units for eliminating Russian occupiers and repelling assaults. The situation at the front is tough, and we will seek opportunities to increase all support programs for Ukrainian units,” noted the head of state. He mentioned that the implementation of a plan for long-range sanctions against Russia for the war was also discussed: “The execution is quite rhythmic – the goals are being achieved.” “We discussed in detail the logistical challenges, Russian strikes on Odesa and the region, on port infrastructure and the maritime corridor. Reports were presented by the relevant structures: the Naval Forces of Ukraine – Oleksiy Neizhpapa, the Main Intelligence Directorate – Oleh Ivashchenko, the government of Ukraine – Serhiy Koretskyi,” informed the President. According to him, the Prime Minister reported on work with partners in the region who can expand cross-border interaction with Ukraine. The head of state noted that he is grateful to neighboring countries for their readiness to genuinely help. “I expect to receive a clear list of measures from the government next week that will ensure the diversification of export routes,” he emphasized. The President explained that effective interaction regarding grain exports and ensuring normal logistics is a contribution to global food security and countering the unfolding cost-of-living crisis in countries and regions bordering Europe, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. “Any social unrest there due to possible increases in food prices, and the overall cost of living, will mean new tangible risks for Europe. Each such crisis in regions close to Europe provokes additional migration waves. Therefore, real guarantees of food security and protection against Russian terror against the agricultural sector and maritime trade routes are in the direct interest of all of us in Europe,” he stated. Zelenskyy informed that there were also intelligence reports on Russia’s intentions for further strikes on Ukraine and Ukrainian vessels. “We are preparing countermeasures. Today, we updated the list of requests from the Defense Forces of Ukraine regarding necessary supplies from our partners – I will talk to leaders about this,” he noted. As Ukrinform reported, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Volodymyr Pavlychenko stated at a UN Security Council meeting that Russia is waging a targeted campaign against Ukrainian grain exports and is trying to block maritime trade routes in the Black Sea, which poses threats to global food security. Photo: OP
Source: www.ukrinform.ua