During my meeting with the President of Lithuania, @GitanasNauseda, we focused primarily on our defense cooperation and agreed to work together within the Drone Deal format: our countries now have such bilateral agreement. The agreement is intended to strengthen both our countries in defense, and importantly, it is built on the principle of reciprocity – we support our partners who provide real and tangible support for our defense. A Ukrainian military expert team will work in Lithuania to develop the necessary security capabilities, first and foremost to counter modern threats and strengthen the security of our countries and the entire region. The challenges we face are shared, and we must overcome them together. We value Lithuania’s principled support and its readiness to strengthen defense and make it truly capable of responding to any Russian attacks. I am also grateful to Gitanas Nausėda for his clear position on our European integration – all six negotiation clusters for Ukraine should be opened.

We continue our nearly daily communication with representatives of the United States. Today, Rustem Umerov briefed me on the outcomes of his meetings with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Importantly, America remains engaged in diplomacy and, in particular, has acted as a mediator on the issue of a prisoner exchange. Contacts are ongoing at the appropriate level to hammer out the configuration of the exchange. The lists have been handed over, and we expect the American side to play an active role in ensuring the realization of this agreement. Possible formats for meetings and negotiations at the leadership level aimed at ending Russia’s war were also discussed in the United States. Rustem also provided a separate detailed report on contacts with countries interested in Drone Deals with Ukraine. Nearly 20 countries are currently involved at various stages: 4 agreements have already been signed, and the first contracts under these agreements are now being prepared. With other countries, preparatory procedures are underway for political arrangements that will open the way for businesses. Ukraine has already secured its first energy-related results thanks to these agreements – the Ukrainian market is being supplied with the necessary volume of fuel. There will also be significant financial results. In addition to the Middle East and the Gulf, the South Caucasus, and Europe, we will soon launch this new security cooperation within the framework of Drone Deals with another part of the world as well. We are preparing positive news for Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine!

The first visit to Azerbaijan and our seventh meeting in more than four years. Our relations are at a very high level, and what matters is that they are built on respect. I thank President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev @presidentaz for this visit, for our conversation, and most importantly, for our agreements. Today, Ukraine and Azerbaijan signed 6 documents across various areas. The key is the defense-industrial complex – we will develop and strengthen our cooperation. We also discussed the continuation of energy initiatives and the launch of new ones. I am grateful to Azerbaijan for 11 packages of energy assistance, including during the last difficult winter. Special attention was given to humanitarian support for Ukraine and our efforts to restore peace. I thank Azerbaijan for its support of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. I appreciate the readiness for deep cooperation, including in the defense sector. We have taken a very serious step forward, and new documents will be signed soon.

A very productive meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. We appreciate our constructive cooperation. There is a strategic security arrangement that we are actively developing across three key areas. The first is the export of Ukrainian security expertise and capabilities in air defense. The second is energy cooperation, which makes Ukraine more resilient in this difficult time. The third is the area of food security. We are working together to strengthen our peoples and our partners. We have set tasks for our teams, and I expect their prompt and full implementation. Now, when international relations are significantly destabilized, it is precisely this kind of bilateral engagement that restores confidence. We also exchanged assessments of the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf. We hope for greater security, and we are helping to bring it closer.

I met with the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani @TamimBinHamad, in Doha. The Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, was also present at the meeting. We discussed issues that could further strengthen the protection of life in both countries and agreed on a mutually beneficial partnership in the defense sector for at least 10 years. Following the meeting, our Chiefs of the General Staff signed an agreement, which provides for joint defense industry projects, the establishment of co-production facilities, and technological partnerships between companies. I provided an update on the security situation in Ukraine, the ongoing Russian attacks, and Russia’s close cooperation with the Iranian regime. Strengthening air defense is a priority for us, and we count on support from our partners. I thank His Highness for the warm reception, readiness to work together, and the concrete agreements reached.

I met with our military experts who have been in Saudi Arabia for over a week now. Guys reported on the team’s first results and shared conclusions at both the operational and broader levels. The main task of our air defense experts in this region is to identify challenges and determine what changes are needed to strengthen the protection of people and lives from Iranian “shaheds” and missiles. I am grateful to the guys for their exceptionally prompt and thorough work. There are concrete steps we can take together with our partners. Even in such a short time, Ukrainian experts were able to share extensive expertise and demonstrate how we in Ukraine protect our lives and infrastructure. Ukraine's expertise is unique, and recognized as such, and that is why everyone is so interested in our technologies and experience. We are ready to support the protection of those who help us defend our independence. We discussed the key elements needed to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s air defense capabilities. This concerns, above all, approaches to shooting down drones. Ukraine is ready for long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation. I am proud of our people and the strength of Ukraine.

We have reached an important Arrangement between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on defense cooperation. The document was signed ahead of our meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. It lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investment. It also strengthens Ukraine’s international role as a security donor. We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and to work together to strengthen the protection of lives. Now into the fifth year, Ukrainians are resisting the same kind of terrorist attacks – ballistic missiles and drones – that the Iranian regime is currently carrying out in the Middle East and the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia also has capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine, and this cooperation can be mutually beneficial. We also discussed the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region as a whole, Russia’s assistance to the Iranian regime, developments in fuel markets, and potential energy cooperation. Thank you for the meeting.

I met with our negotiating team ahead of the new round of trilateral talks. We expect the meetings to take place in the coming days, as early as this Wednesday and Thursday. Nearly all members of the negotiating team attended today’s meeting, namely Rustem Umerov, Kyrylo Budanov, Sergiy Kyslytsya, Andrii Hnatov, and Oleksandr Bevz. Davyd Arakhamiia will also participate in the negotiations. I approved frameworks for the talks and set specific tasks. The Ukrainian delegation will also hold bilateral meetings with the American side. Ukraine is ready for real steps. We believe it is realistic to achieve a dignified and lasting peace. We consider the bilateral security guarantees document with the United States to be complete, and we anticipate further substantive work on documents related to recovery and economic development. We also anticipate that the American side will remain decisive in ensuring the necessary conditions for dialogue. The de-escalation measures that went into effect on the night of last Thursday to Friday are helping to build public trust in the negotiation process and its possible outcome. The war needs to be ended. Thank you to everyone around the world who is helping. Glory to Ukraine!

Our negotiating team has just delivered a report. The dates for the next trilateral meetings have been set – February 4 and 5 in Abu Dhabi. Ukraine is ready for a substantive discussion, and we are interested in ensuring that the outcome brings us closer to a real and dignified end to the war. Thank you to everyone who is helping!

Our delegation delivered a report; the meetings in the UAE have concluded. And this was the first format of this kind in quite some time: two days of trilateral meetings. A lot was discussed, and it is important that the conversations were constructive. The negotiations also involved military representatives from all three sides. From our side, today’s participants included Rustem Umerov, Kyrylo Budanov, Andrii Hnatov, Davyd Arakhamiia, Sergiy Kyslytsya, and Vadym Skibitskyi. From the American side, the participants were Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Dan Driscoll, Alexus Grynkewich, and Josh Gruenbaum. The Russian side was represented by members of their military intelligence and armed forces. The central focus of the discussions was the possible parameters for ending the war. I highly value the understanding of the need for American monitoring and oversight of the process of ending the war and ensuring genuine security. The American side raised the issue of potential formats for formalizing the parameters for ending the war, as well as the security conditions required to achieve this. As a result of the meetings held over these days, all sides agreed to report back in their capitals on each aspect of the negotiations and to coordinate further steps with their leaders. The military representatives identified a list of issues for a potential next meeting. Provided there is readiness to move forward – and Ukraine is ready – further meetings will take place, potentially as early as next week. I expect a personal briefing from the delegation upon its return. I am grateful to the United Arab Emirates, and personally to the President of the Emirates, for their mediation and their readiness to host further meetings. Ukraine is working for peace and security. Thank you to everyone who is helping.

Rustem Umerov reported on the results of our team’s negotiations in France yesterday. The bilateral document on security guarantees for Ukraine is now essentially ready for finalization at the highest level with the President of the United States. It is important that Ukraine is successfully uniting the efforts of the European and American teams, and together, we discussed, in particular, documents on recovery and economic development. Complex issues from the basic framework for ending the war were also addressed, and the Ukrainian side presented possible options for finalizing this document. We understand that the American side will engage with Russia, and we expect feedback on whether the aggressor is genuinely willing to end the war. Upon returning to Kyiv, our negotiating team will report on all the details of the meetings. We are also informing our partners about the consequences of Russia’s strikes, which clearly don’t indicate that Moscow is reconsidering its priorities. In this context, it is necessary that pressure on Russia continues to increase at the same intensity as the work of our negotiating teams. The feasibility of future security guarantees must be proven by our partners’ ability to exert effective pressure on the aggressor at this very stage. We are preparing new relevant contacts with partners.

Today, Rustem Umerov has already delivered an initial report on the work of the Ukrainian negotiating team in France. Another session of talks with envoys of the President of the United States will take place, and this will already be the third such session in two days. We expect, in particular, that the most difficult issues from the basic framework for ending the war will be discussed – namely, issues related to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and territories. I also instructed the team to discuss possible formats for leader-level meetings between Ukraine, other European states, and the United States. Ukraine does not shy away from the most difficult issues and will never be an obstacle to peace. Peace must be dignified. And this depends on the partners – on whether they ensure Russia’s real readiness to end the war. By the end of the day, I expect a detailed report from our negotiating team. Ukraine will be represented at today’s meetings by Rustem Umerov, Andrii Hnatov, Kyrylo Budanov, Sergiy Kyslytsya, Davyd Arakhamiia, and Oleksandr Bevz.

Diplomacy and real assistance must go hand in hand. Russia does not stop its strikes against our country, and right now we need to bolster air defense to protect our people, our communities, and critical infrastructure. Every delivery of air defense missiles saves lives and boosts the chances for diplomacy. That is why every meeting must yield concrete results – new decisions regarding air defense, new assistance packages, and new capabilities to protect the skies. During our meeting with President @EmmanuelMacron, this was exactly what we discussed – Ukraine’s real capabilities to counter Russian terror, our defense, and the support that can strengthen our positions in diplomacy. We also had a very substantive discussion about diplomacy and our steps. Today in Paris, the most representative meeting of the Coalition of the Willing is taking place, attended by heads of state, leaders of international organizations, ministers, and ambassadors. We are preparing important political steps. I am grateful to Emmanuel for his leadership and readiness to help. Thank you for this meeting. 🇺🇦🇫🇷

Military officials from France, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine worked in detail on force deployment, numbers, specific types of weapons, and the components of the Armed Forces required and able to operate effectively. We already have these necessary details. We understand which country is ready for what among all members of the Coalition of the Willing. I would like to thank every leader and every state that truly wishes to be part of a peaceful solution. We had very substantive discussions with the American side on monitoring — to ensure there are no violations of peace. The United States is ready to work on this. One of the most critical elements is deterrence — the tools that will prevent any new Russian aggression. We see all of this.

Euro-Atlantic unity has proven its effectiveness and must be preserved for our shared interests and security. And together, we can achieve even more – Ukraine unites Europe and America.

With the U.S. President’s team – @SEPeaceMissions Steve Witkoff and @jaredkushner – we continued discussions on the diplomatic path to ending the war. I thank the United States for its readiness to provide a backstop in all areas: security guarantees, monitoring of the ceasefire, and reconstruction. On January 7 in Paris, our teams will continue work on security guarantees and a basic framework for ending the war. Representing Ukraine will be Head of the Office Kyrylo Budanov, NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov, General Andrii Hnatov, First Deputy Head of the Office Sergiy Kyslytsya, and Advisor to the Office of the President Oleksandr Bevz. I thank President Trump and the United States for their support. Not a single day is wasted.

I have already arrived in France. Today, there will be important talks here at the level of the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing, with the Secretary General of NATO, as well as a meeting with representatives of the American negotiating team. These talks are meant to deliver more protection and strength for Ukraine. We are counting on our partners’ support and on steps that can guarantee real security for our people. Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine.

First outcomes from today’s work with national security advisors of partner countries. European partners, Canada, the EU, and NATO are engaged, and we are also communicating with the American side. I am grateful to everyone for their support. Our discussions are moving forward along three key directions – security guarantees, reconstruction, and a basic framework for a real rebuilding. Everything must be effective, dignified, and conducive to establishing peace for decades. And this vision of ours is fully aligned with the vision of our key partners. I am grateful to our team for their thorough approach to negotiations. Work with the advisors continues. We are preparing meetings in Europe next week. We are also getting ready for meetings in the United States.