President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the military, intelligence services, and the SBU, focusing on three issues: "further long-range sanctions," Russia's attempts to further involve Belarus in the war—"Russia is considering operational plans for directions south and north of Belarusian territory—either against the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction in Ukraine or against one of the NATO countries," as well as Russia's plans for new strikes, "specifically, as they indicate, on 'decision-making centers'"—the Head of State reported this on Friday on social media, UNN reports.
Held a meeting today with the heads of the General Staff of the AFU, the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), the Foreign Intelligence Service (SZRU), and the SBU. Three key areas of discussion
The President stated:
First – we are determining targets for our further long-range sanctions against Russia for this war and the strikes against our cities and villages
He emphasized: "Ukraine will not leave any of the strikes that take the lives of our people without consequences for the aggressor." "We are quite justly responding against the Russian oil industry, military production, and those individuals who directly commit war crimes against Ukraine and Ukrainians. I am grateful to our warriors for their dedication to protecting Ukrainian interests and to all involved Ukrainian structures for building a truly strong system of our long-range sanctions. This is something tangible," the Head of State noted.
Second – we continue to record Russian attempts to further involve Belarus in the war against Ukraine. We know that additional contacts took place between the Russians and Alexander Lukashenko, aimed at convincing him to join new Russian aggressive operations. In particular, Russia is considering operational plans for directions south and north of Belarusian territory – either against the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction in Ukraine or against one of the NATO countries – specifically from the territory of Belarus
According to him, "Ukraine possesses details of the conversation between Russia and Belarus." "Ukraine will undoubtedly defend itself and its people if Alexander Lukashenko errs and decides to support this Russian intention as well," the President noted.
Zelenskyy stated:
I have instructed our Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine to strengthen the relevant direction and present our response plan, which will be considered and approved at the Staff meeting
The President also reported:
Third – HUR specialists have obtained documents indicating that the Russians are preparing new missile and drone strikes on Ukraine, specifically, as they indicate, on "decision-making centers." Among them, in particular, are nearly two dozen political centers and military points. Of course, we have taken note of this information
"But it is worth noting specifically for the Russian leadership that Ukraine is still not Russia, and unlike the aggressor country, where there is a clear author of this war and his long-standing inner circle that ensures his detachment from reality, the source of Ukraine's defense is the readiness of the Ukrainian people to fight for their independence and their own sovereign state. Ukrainians deserve their sovereignty just as much as any other nation. A people cannot be defeated. Russia needs to end its war and negotiate a dignified peace, rather than looking for more ways to intimidate Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who helps! Glory to Ukraine!" Zelenskyy emphasized.
The President also accompanied this message with a series of photographs, including those with inscriptions about objects in the center of Kyiv and beyond.