We Expect the Exchanges to Continue in the Coming Days – Address by the President

5 March 2026 – 20:09

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today we spoke in detail with the Government about our tasks for the spring–summer period – the time during which we must prepare as much as possible for the next winter. There may be just as many challenges as this winter. Of course, our priority is to do everything to end the war. We will continue the diplomatic process when our American partners are ready to work as we agreed – bilateral formats with them, trilateral formats with Russia, as well as work with the Europeans. Right now, practically all of the world’s attention is focused on the situation around Iran, and no matter how long the hostilities last there, we must be ready to resume diplomacy at any moment. That’s exactly how the Ukrainian team works – everyone in our delegation.

There is another positive step in the exchanges. Another two hundred of our people have returned home from Russian captivity. We expect the exchanges to continue in the coming days. Nevertheless, the Russians remain active along the front line, and the strikes continue. We are protecting lives, and part of guaranteeing security for Ukraine under any circumstances, under any scenarios, is modernizing the protection of key infrastructure. We must also restore what was destroyed by strikes over the winter. Detailed plans have been developed and will be approved for all regions. The responsibility of local authorities and regional authorities is not to lose time. I want to thank all heads of communities who approach this conscientiously.

Today we spoke with government officials about the urgent challenges with roads – much needs to be restored after the winter, the condition of the roads is very poor, and there is a special task in the frontline areas – in all communities where every minute matters for the evacuation of the wounded and for frontline logistics overall. The Government, together with the regional authorities and communities, must ensure the necessary repairs. There are also separate tasks for the Ministry of Energy, separate tasks for Naftogaz and Ukrnafta regarding price challenges due to the war in the Middle East. The global problem is the rising prices of oil and petroleum products. There must be Ukrainian responses to such challenges – in particular regarding the supply of petroleum products on the Ukrainian market. Government officials must maintain close communication with people – with society – on this matter.

We are constantly working with partners on our ability to strengthen the defense of those countries that are currently under attack from Iran. Rustem Umerov is coordinating contacts with partners in the Middle East and the Gulf region; we are also speaking with the United States. Security support from Ukraine will be provided, and the main thing is that this will allow us to expand our security cooperation with partners – by protecting countries from the Iranian regime, we are increasing our own capabilities for defense.

A few more important points.

I spoke today with the head of the Italian Government – Giorgia Meloni and I coordinate very substantively. I am grateful for the advice and for the principled support for Ukraine and Ukrainians. We discussed the situation in the Middle East, as well as our bilateral work and relations with the European Union. We are also preparing other diplomatic contacts for this and the coming weeks. Europe needs more coordination, more mutual support, and more of its own strength – Europe should be more active.

I want to thank everyone who is defending life! Thank you to everyone who stands with us, with Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!

President Zelenskyy also had a joint meeting with Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk and Members of Parliament, Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, and members of the Government today.

President Discussed with Government Officials and MPs the Results of the Government’s Work During the Fall and Winter and the Tasks for the Spring and Summer

5 March 2026 – 21:07

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a joint meeting with Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk and Members of Parliament, Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, and members of the Government, during which they discussed the results of the Cabinet of Ministers’ work during the winter and fall, as well as the tasks for the spring and summer.

Among the main issues were energy resilience, strengthening the defense and security sector, road repairs, strengthening cooperation with the European Union, diplomatic work and Ukraine’s proactive position on international platforms, support for frontline territories, and increasing salaries and pensions.

“We discussed with parliamentarians which legislative initiatives require special attention. We defined joint positions on key challenges for the coming weeks. In particular, the launch of a program for restoring and modernizing the protection of energy facilities and other infrastructure,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko reported that an additional UAH 194 billion has been allocated from the budget for the implementation of social programs. Since January 1, teachers’ salaries have been increased by 30%, and from September 1 they will be raised by another 20%. The “Health 40+” screening program has been launched, and the average salary of ER doctors has increased to UAH 38,000 since January 1.

Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity Denys Uliutin reported on the indexation of pensions and insurance payments by 12.1% starting from March 1. In addition, the minimum pension payments for the families of fallen defenders have been increased and now amount to no less than UAH 12,810.

Yuliia Svyrydenko also informed that nearly 18 million people used the UAH 1,000 payment within the framework of the “Winter Support” program. In addition, workers of repair crews involved in eliminating the consequences of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure will receive an additional UAH 20,000 for each month of work. Payments for January have already begun.

First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal noted that the deficit in the energy system has now decreased. At the same time, challenges remain in six regions, but thanks to the increase in solar generation and the launch of an additional electricity transmission line in the eastern region by the end of the month, the situation will improve.

Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov noted that the needs for 2026 regarding the provision of drones, artillery, and other strike capabilities have already been defined. He highlighted the strengthening of air defense, the procurement of interceptor drones, and the blocking of Starlink terminals previously used by the enemy.

Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine – Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Kuleba reported that about 20 million square meters of roads in frontline areas, as well as highways of national, regional, and local significance, have been damaged. Road services in the regions have already begun repairs. The work is being carried out within the tightest possible timeframes to ensure basic passability and traffic safety. Since the beginning of the year, work has already been completed on an area of 60,000 square meters. Additional funds will be mobilized from the reserve fund, through state guarantees, the redistribution of additional regional subventions, and co-financing from the regional military administrations. Work on frontline and international highways must be completed by June 1, and the remaining work by October 1.

Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko informed that by the end of March the system for receiving calls to the single emergency number 112 will cover the entire territory of Ukraine, except for the temporarily occupied territories; the official mobile application “Service 112” is already operating. Since the beginning of the year, a differentiated district-based distribution of air raid alerts has been introduced across the entire country, except for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. This has helped reduce the duration of alerts in certain frontline districts to 145 days.

A new response system has also been created in Ukraine for facilities of the oil and gas sector. It covers the Kharkiv, Poltava, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. Our country is the most active in Europe in using industrial climber teams during the clearing of rubble from destroyed structures and robotic equipment for remote firefighting.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Science have identified 3,000 schools where safety officers will be deployed. Already 1,800 such officers are working, and by the end of the year they will appear in all designated educational institutions.

Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka said that Ukraine is expected to receive from the European Union the accession conditions for all clusters in the near future.

“At the same time, we are working on accelerating the work on the text regarding accession to the European Union. To bring the date closer. There is understanding in the Council of the European Union and the European Commission. This will make it possible to shorten the EU accession procedure by another year without changing their methodology,” Taras Kachka noted.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha emphasized that recently Ukraine has significantly strengthened its presence in international organizations and has been elected to nine respective governing bodies. At the same time, our country prevented Russia from being elected to 24 governing and subsidiary bodies of multilateral formats. Five resolutions important for Ukraine were adopted by the UN General Assembly.

Minister of Youth and Sports Matvii Bidnyi informed about the work to counter the return of Russian athletes under the national flag to the 2026 Paralympic Games. In particular, 15 countries announced a boycott of the opening ceremony, which will take place the day after tomorrow.

During the meeting, steps were agreed that will contribute to maximum effectiveness in implementing the tasks set in various areas.

Here’s the video of the post-meeting press conference:

Georgia:

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 9:15 AM

From Ukraine to the Persian Gulf, a common struggle now stretches across Eurasia: the struggle to deter unchecked autocracies.

In this process, Georgia is a democratic society resisting a total crackdown by an autocratic regime that is [rather openly] part of the Russia-Iran axis.

1/3

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 11:14 AM

Our “program maximum” is to liberate ourselves from this regime, and Armenia serves as a great example that pragmatism and constructive relations with neighbours can coexist with democracy-building and closer relations with the US and the EU.

2/3

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 11:14 AM

Our “program minimum” is to keep resisting so that by the time evil is defeated, the people of Georgia are still seen as allies to the West and democracy. By that time, it will be much easier to support Georgians in a tangible way.

3/3.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 11:14 AM

1/ The prosecutor’s office has charged two individuals, Levan Zardiashvili and Saba Mindiashvili, under the article of obstructing journalistic activities due to an incident that occurred on September 8 near Kakha Kaladze’s electoral headquarters.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 9:50 AM

2/ Publika was informed by the investigator that the charges were presented today. When asked when they would approach the court regarding the imposition of preventive measures, they responded that “the prosecutor will decide on this.”

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 9:50 AM

3/ According to them, the accused in the case are not in custody.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 9:50 AM

4/ The incident occurred on September 8. Levan Zardiashvili assaulted Publika journalist Keto Mikadze and took her phone. On the same day, there was an episode involving Aleksandre Keshkelashvili.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 9:50 AM

5/ An unknown individual obstructed Publika journalist Aleksandre Keshkelashvili in his journalistic activities and took his phone, which was later returned.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 9:50 AM

6/ They have been charged under the 1st part of Article 154 of the Criminal Code, which refers to illegally obstructing a journalist in their professional activities, punishable by a fine or community service, corrective labor, or house arrest for a period of 6 months to 2 years.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 9:50 AM

JUST IN: the Georgian Dream representatives hint at prosecuting people who helped produce, commented about, or even shared The Hill article: “Georgia is becoming Iran’s sanctions evasion hub.”

1/

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 12:01 PM

The regime will continue to go after critics and independent media so that their systemic crimes do not reach international audiences.

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze (top left) stated that “relevant agencies should take interest” in statements by 🇬🇪’s former Minister of Defense (under GD, btw),

2/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 12:01 PM

Tina Khidasheli, whose organization Civil IDEA also produced a report that The Hill article was largely based on. Khidasheli’s public comments also concerned the de facto operation of US-sanctioned Iranian university in Georgia, Al-Mustafa International University.

3/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 12:01 PM

Kaladze and other GD MPs are also accusing Transparency International Executive Director, Eka Gigauri, of treason simply for sharing the article on X.

4/4.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 12:01 PM

thehill.com/opinion/inte…

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 12:02 PM

Tonight at 22:00 (Tbilisi time, GMT+4), iFact Editor-in-Chief Nino Bakradze joins Talk Georgia to discuss how Russian oil reaches Western markets through Georgia, and how Ivanishvili’s regime benefits

🎧 Watch & listen:
Spotify: h1.nu/1l4IK
Apple Podcasts: h1.nu/1l4Jh
YouTube: youtu.be/Gxnqr79-iwk

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— Talk Georgia (@talkgeorgia.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 10:35 AM

Hungary:

Populism 101

1989: Orban goes to Oxford on a Soros scholarship.
’10s: Targets Soros as the enemy
’15-20: “Soros is flooding EU with migrants”
’18: KESMA (media conglomerate) formalised, run by Orban allies
’22-26: Targets Zelensky as the enemy

Same strategy, new enemy.

— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 7:45 PM

Hungarian authorities kidnapped employees of Oschadbank along with cash-in-transit vehicles and valuables.

Is this the “force” Orbán was talking about?

Shame!

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 7:26 PM

After Péter Szijjártó’s visit to Moscow, Vladimir Putin handed over two captured servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to Hungary. They arrived in Budapest together with the Hungarian foreign minister.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 6:00 AM

In Ukraine, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War condemned this, calling it a Russian provocation and urging “not to make Ukrainian servicemen a bargaining chip”.
t.me/c/1404510603…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 6:00 AM

Orban appears to be acquiring hostages.

The US:

WSJ: The US sided with Russia and China at the IAEA, voting against a resolution warning that attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid threaten nuclear safety.

It passed 20–4 anyway (only US, Russia, China, Niger against). Washington called it “unnecessary” and not helpful for peace.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 3:53 PM

🇺🇸😂 Fox News, while covering the high-tech weapons used by the US during the operation in Iran, showed a video of Ukrainian interceptor drones in action, presenting it as their own downing.

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 4:17 PM

The footage showed STING interceptor drones from the “Wild Hornets” shooting down a russian Shahed during one of the russian attacks. They didn’t even blur out the watermarks…😱😂

— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 4:17 PM

Back to Ukraine.

The cost:

Mariyka is 5. In November 2025, the girl and her granny were heavily injured by the russian missile attack in which Mariyka lost her leg. At the end of February, she made the first steps with her prosthesis.

Some peacedealers offer to reward russia for this with more Ukrainian people and land.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 1:37 PM

🇺🇦 This photo was taken while accompanying our Hero.
The city of Kamensk. 2026.
A column with the Hero, who returned home ON A SHIELD, moves past a very young boy.
He came out of his house with the flag of Ukraine, took off his hat, knelt down, bowed his head, and put his hand on his heart.

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 2:38 PM

🔹Journalist: On the status of repairs to the Druzhba oil pipeline.

Is it true that we are not allowing representatives of the European Commission there? And if that’s not true, when do we plan to allow them in?

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 4:04 PM

🔸Zelensky:

When we asked one country for missiles for Patriot, they said they had very few left.

I don’t remember asking: “Can I come to your warehouses and check if you’re telling the truth?”

Ukraine is an independent state. Respect goes both ways.

— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 4:04 PM

Zelenskyy on Druzhba oil pipeline:

“Honestly, I wouldn’t restore it. That’s my position. I’ve told this to European leaders and to everyone who’s called me about this issue, including the leadership of the European Union, because this is Russian oil.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 3:44 PM

There are some things and principles that simply have no price. They’re killing us, and yet we’re supposed to give oil to Orbán because he’s ‘poor thing’ and without this oil he can’t win the elections.”

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 3:44 PM

Zelenskyy said today that in 3 days of the war in the Middle East, 800 PAC-3 Patriot missiles were used. Ukraine hasn’t had that many of them throughout the entire war.

I can’t stop thinking of these numbers for a couple of hours already.

— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 12:31 PM

🔥 Ukrainian Special Operations Forces carried out a series strikes, targeting a S-400 deployment area in Orlivka (Crimea) and several fuel depots in Mariupol and Novoamvrosiivske. A logistics warehouse in Amvrosiivka and a repair facility in Zachatnivka were also destroyed.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 4:03 AM

The operator of the STING anti-Shahed drone overtakes his colleague and intercepts Shahed faster.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 1:38 AM

Donetsk:

This was Donetsk on March 4-5, 2014. Thousands of people made it to the streets to remind everyone that Donetsk is Ukraine. The resistance rallies lasted till late April until russian forces occupied the town.

One day the blue-yellow flag will return home in Donetsk. One day justice will prevail.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 4:24 AM

Kharkiv:

Kharkiv is ready for spring ❤️

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 1:26 PM

The Black Sea:

💥Precision strike in the Black Sea: Russian Ka-27 helicopter destroyed mid-landing attempt on the ‘Sivash’ oil rig, alongside enemy troops stationed there!

Verified objective footage from Ukrainian forces 😍

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 12:07 PM

The Ukrainian Navy destroyed a Russian Kamov Ka-27 that was attempting to land on the “Syvash” drilling platform in the Black Sea.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 11:32 AM

❗️The Ukrainian Navy reports that a Russian Ka-27 helicopter has been shot down over the Black Sea.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 7:00 AM

Russian occupied Crimea:

Local channels in Crimea report that there is a partial blackout there as a result of a drone attack.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 4:52 PM

Myrhorod, Poltava Oblast:

And this is Myrhorod, Ukraine, this morning. A Shahed drone was flying very low over the houses. The Russians do this deliberately, because at such a low altitude, the drone is very difficult to shoot down.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 5:48 AM

Krasnodar Krai, Russia:

On March 2, the Security Service of Ukraine significantly damaged the frigate Russian frigate Admiral Essen in Novorossiysk, which is capable of carrying eight Kalibr cruise missiles.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 11:08 AM

According to the SBU, as a result of the attack the ship is currently unable to carry out strikes against the territory of Ukraine.

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 11:08 AM

Sochi, Russia:

It seems that Ukrainian sanctions didn’t let the residents of Sochi sleep at night.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 6:58 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today.

Here is some adjacent material.

Happy Ukrainian doggo in the eastern city of Izium. Getting here requires driving under drone protection nets. We are doing our best to keep all feeding stations filled for displaced pets!

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— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) March 1, 2026 at 10:37 AM

Open thread!