We held joint consultations between the governments of Ukraine and the Slovak Republic in Lviv. Together with @RobertFicoSVK, we signed a Joint Declaration on Cooperation, which sets out all of today's practical agreements and planned projects as a clear action plan for our teams. We also signed an intergovernmental Agreement on establishing a bilingual Ukrainian-English gymnasium in Slovakia and a similar Slovak-English gymnasium in Ukraine. Both are expected to open as early as next school year. Staying connected with Ukrainians, especially children who are abroad because of the war, and preserving Ukrainian identity and the native language is extremely important to us. Slovakia has announced its decision to hand over three electric locomotives to Ukrzaliznytsia. They are expected to be running on European-gauge track in Zakarpattia by the end of the year. Slovakia's experience on its path to the EU is useful and important for Ukraine. The talks covered opening the remaining two negotiating clusters and launching an EU Macro-Regional Strategy for the Carpathian Region. Cooperation under the EU's SAFE instrument received particular attention. A Framework Agreement on Financial Cooperation is to be signed, launching energy recovery projects worth more than EUR 100 million under the Ukraine Investment Framework. At the border, work is under way on an electronic queue and joint checks, and on expanding crossing capacity for passengers and freight. We are grateful for the EUR 500,000 energy assistance package, which will bring 54 generators to Ukraine by the end of the month. Slovakia is also directing EUR 300,000 to the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition as its second contribution, and EUR 200,000 to medical equipment for Ukrainian hospitals. It is also significant that Slovakia has decided to become a full member of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. I thank Robert Fico and the Slovak delegation for visiting Lviv and for a pragmatic, productive dialogue in the spirit of good neighborliness. The Ukrainian-Slovak partnership is dynamic and mutually beneficial for both nations.

Ukraine has received another €4.36 billion from the EU under the Ukraine Support Loan: €3.7 billion in macro-financial assistance and €660 million for defence. As Russia continues its attacks on our cities and energy infrastructure, this support is more vital than ever. It helps us keep essential public services running, strengthen our defence and protect our people. Ukraine remains committed to delivering reforms and fulfilling its obligations. Together with our European partners, we are building a stronger, more resilient Ukraine. My sincere gratitude to President @vonderleyen, Commissioners @VDombrovskis and @KubiliusA, and all EU Member States for their steadfast support. Every euro strengthens Ukraine and our shared European security.

Today, the European Commission published its annual Report on Ukraine as part of the EU Enlargement Package. It is another practical and positive step on our path to EU membership. Ukraine has made progress despite the war. There is certainly work to do, but the direction is very clear. The EU Ambassador to Ukraine, @kmathernova, has today personally handed me the Commission's report. The Commission confirmed that Ukraine has met the conditions for opening all remaining clusters. Our readiness for accession has improved in 9 chapters, more than twice as many as last year. There is no deterioration in any chapter, and no backsliding on reforms. Good or very good progress was noted in 10 chapters, including energy, the digital sector, financial services, taxation, education, science, agriculture and customs. For the first time, foreign, security and defense policy received the highest progress rating. Europe sees and recognizes Ukraine's contribution to shared security. The Commission also highlighted that Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions work independently and effectively. Assessments of the judiciary and justice have improved as well. Our progress there determines whether we can move on to the next stage of negotiations. Our next goal is to receive the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report (IBAR) in early 2027. To achieve it, a joint Ukraine-EU working group has been set up on the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. We are setting ambitious but achievable targets. In some areas, we need to work faster. We will act on the Commission's recommendations. Once again, we delivered this result together. Only through the joint efforts of the Verkhovna Rada and the Government can we advance toward the EU and secure financial assistance for Ukraine. I thank President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. I thank European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. I am also grateful to the Verkhovna Rada and, in particular, its Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk for his engagement in our European integration efforts. I thank Vsevolod Chentsov, the President's Office team and all government officials working to implement the reforms. I thank everyone who contributed to this interim but important result. Above all, I thank the Defense Forces, thanks to whom we continue to live, fight, develop and press ahead toward EU member ship. I will shortly take part in the Enlargement Forum in Brussels, where we will discuss concrete next steps to speed up our path to the EU.

This year Ukraine opened four negotiating clusters with the EU, and we expect to open the rest by the end of the year. At the Euronews Enlargement Summit, I spoke about progress across the negotiating chapters, including financial services, energy, agriculture, customs and digital transformation. Our priority right now is Cluster 1, "Fundamentals of the EU Accession Process": judicial reform, anti-corruption and public administration reform. Together with the European Commission, we set up a Task Force to speed up delivery of the interim benchmarks in this cluster. We aim to receive a positive assessment of our interim benchmarks early in 2027. During Lithuania's presidency of the @EUCouncil in the first half of 2027, we expect to provisionally close seven chapters. Thank you to our European partners for their trust and support on Ukraine's path to EU membership.

Glad to welcome Norway's Minister of Finance Jens Stoltenberg, @jensstoltenberg, to Ukraine. For 2027, Norway plans to provide around €9 billion in support to our country under the Nansen Programme. We value this support, as it is extremely important to us. We discussed the areas of assistance and Ukraine's key expenditures: funding for budget spending, energy and the off-budget needs of the Defence Forces. Unfortunately, the cost of the war is rising. Even with the amounts of assistance already confirmed by our partners, €70 billion remains uncovered in 2027: €30 billion for budget support and €40 billion for the Defence Forces. Only through the joint efforts of all our partners can we solve this extremely difficult task. We also had a substantive discussion on the initiative to establish a war risk insurance fund. I invited Norway to become one of the fund's key contributors, and Norwegian businesses to develop investment projects in Ukraine. I thank Mr Stoltenberg, the Government of Norway, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and the people of Norway for their consistent support and partnership.

We held a meeting on preparing the 2027 State Budget for its second reading, joined by Parliament’s leadership, the head of the Servant of the People faction, the chair of the Verkhovna Rada @verkhovna_rada Budget Committee and the Minister of Finance. This is a wartime budget, and the Government’s priorities remain the same: funding for security and defense, the state’s financial stability and a decent level of social support. It is just as important that the budget stays in line with the macroeconomic forecast and our program with the International Monetary Fund. Our immediate objective is to incorporate the Verkhovna Rada’s first-reading conclusions into the draft. The deadlines are firm, so we are moving quickly to deliver a high-quality document for the second reading. Thank you to the MPs for the constructive dialogue and for being so actively involved.

Overnight, Russia attacked power generation and transmission facilities in 9 regions with drones and missiles. Shelling and damage were reported in 14 regions in total. Major power plants in Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia and Kharkiv regions were targeted. Several important substations were also hit, including in the west of the country. Damage is significant, both at generation facilities and in the grid. The enemy also struck the railway overnight. In Zaporizhzhia, passenger carriages, locomotives and the station were damaged, and in Kovel an electric locomotive was hit. Industrial facilities and commercial warehouses were also struck in Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia and Dnipropetrovsk regions. In Kharkiv, a missile hit a hospital, and 73 people were injured. Power engineers, railway workers, medics, State Emergency Service rescuers and police are working at the sites. The threat of repeat strikes remains. Where safety permits, specialists have begun restoration work. Thank you to everyone working right now.

Russia deliberately struck a school in the village of Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia region, where humanitarian aid was being handed out to local residents. In the morning, the Russians dropped aerial bombs on the school. People took shelter, and the occupiers then struck again: nine more aerial bombs, aimed directly at the shelter. As of now, the death toll has risen to 24. Sincere condolences to the families and loved ones. There are wounded, and they are receiving the necessary assistance. The threat of a repeat strike is hampering search and rescue efforts. There is no doubt: the Russians knew full well that local residents received aid here every week.

Discussed with EU Commissioner for Enlargement @MartaKosEU how to speed up delivery of the interim benchmarks set under the EU accession negotiations, and the opening of the remaining negotiating clusters. The European Commission's annual Enlargement Package report is expected this week. We paid particular attention to the work of the IBAR Task Force, set up jointly with the European Commission under the agreement between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Its main task now is to accelerate delivery of the interim benchmarks under negotiating Cluster 1, "Fundamentals", a prerequisite for further progress in the accession talks once the clusters are opened. We are also engaging MPs and representatives of the President's Office on this track. Addressed international financial support and progress on the IMF programme and the Ukraine Facility. Thank you, Marta Kos, for your consistent support for Ukraine and an open, constructive dialogue.

I welcome the important step by the European Commission towards securing Ukraine’s financing for 2027. The proposed €45 billion under the Ukraine Support Loan includes €31.7 billion for defence and €13.3 billion for budget support. As Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russia’s aggression, this support is vital to protecting our people, sustaining essential public services and keeping our economy resilient. We look forward to the Council’s approval, paving the way for timely disbursements in early 2027. My sincere gratitude to President @vonderleyen and the European Commission for their leadership and continued support for Ukraine.

I need to correct something I said during today's Government Question Hour. I mistakenly gave the number of people planned to be evacuated from Oleshky. I apologize. There are no exact numbers at the moment. The rescue operation is ongoing, and the situation is changing. I ask the media not to share or comment on this information. This is an extremely sensitive matter. Right now, people's safety, and our ability to complete the operation, depend on discretion. We will release the official figures once it is over.

Overnight, Russia carried out yet another massive missile and drone attack. Kyiv city and seven regions came under fire: Kyiv, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Poltava, Donetsk and Volyn. Energy was the enemy's main target. Russia hit power facilities in the Kyiv region and in Dnipro. Damage has been reported. Specialists are already working on site to restore power as quickly as possible. Russia also launched a missile strike on energy infrastructure in the Poltava region. Railway facilities were hit as well. At least 12 residential buildings, both private houses and apartment blocks, were damaged in Kyiv and the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions. One person was killed in the capital. Four more were injured in Kyiv and the Donetsk, Kharkiv and Volyn regions. My condolences to the family and relatives of the victim. All services are at work on the ground. Thank you to the police, State Emergency Service rescuers, medics, energy workers and everyone clearing up after the attack and helping people.

Russian murderers hit Dnipro's railway station with a jet-powered Shahed, striking the platform where people were waiting. So far, 13 people have been killed and 10 injured. All emergency services are at the scene. Russia is deliberately hunting civilians: on trains, at stations, in their homes. There is no justification for this terror, and there never can be. My heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.

Had a phone call with 🇪🇪 Prime Minister @KristenMichalPM. We discussed bilateral cooperation and Estonia's support for Ukraine's EU integration path. Paid particular attention to energy sector and the ailways, including the supply of locomotives, as well as to financing Ukraine's needs for next year. We agreed on a joint approach and vision for the Ukraine Recovery Conference, due to take place in Tallinn in January. Given the situation and the challenges this winter, we believe it crucial for URC 2027 to focus on Ukraine's resilience. I briefed my counterpart on the consequences of the daily russian strikes on energy, the economy, communications and critical infrastructure. The damage from these attacks has reached nearly $8 billion, and the state is losing tax revenue. That is why the Conference must deliver a tangible result: practical assistance and consolidated support from our partners right now. I am grateful to Estonia and to Kristen Michal personally for their steady support, friendship and reliable partnership.

The United Kingdom has announced more than £10 billion in additional support for Ukraine. A powerful and timely decision that strengthens both our economic resilience and our ability to defend our country. £7 billion in economic support over the next three years will help reinforce Ukraine’s financial stability and economic recovery. A further £3 billion in UK export finance capacity will support the delivery of critical defence equipment. The package also includes an additional £500 million to strengthen our air defences this winter. We deeply value the UK’s unwavering commitment, including its continued annual military assistance and principled position on sanctions against Russia. My sincere gratitude to Prime Minister @andyburnham, Chancellor @JohnHealey_MP, the whole UK Government and the British people for their leadership, solidarity and steadfast support. 🇺🇦🇬🇧

Met with Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, @ministerBHOS, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Thanked the Dutch Government for the €1.2 billion non-military aid package for 2027–2029 announced today: practical support for energy, water supply, the private sector and reconstruction. It is a significant contribution on top of the Netherlands' military support for Ukraine. A key priority is protecting critical infrastructure: backup equipment and spare parts for rapid recovery after russian attacks, and physical and civil protection of energy facilities. We are receiving substantial help from both the Government and private energy companies. Talked over business cooperation. We are interested in investment from Dutch companies and their expertise in agriculture, IT and energy equipment. For our part, we stand ready to share our experience in rapid rebuilding and protecting critical infrastructure. Briefed the 🇳🇱 minister on the war risk insurance mechanism developed by the Government, which businesses need in order to operate and invest in Ukraine. Today, Ukraine's Minister of Economy and Environment will sign a declaration of intent with his Dutch counterpart on deepening economic cooperation, supporting Ukraine's industrial resilience and developing the "Industrial Ramstein". We also discussed what the aid will include, in particular practical support for the private sector. The 🇳🇱 minister praised the Government's and the Verkhovna Rada's work on delivering EU integration priorities. Thanked the Netherlands for supporting our European path.

Ukraine has secured an additional $404.5 million from Japan and the World Bank under the THRIVE project to develop the healthcare system. The funds have already reached the state budget. $304.5 million is financial support from the Government of Japan, and another $100 million is a loan from the International Development Association. THRIVE aims to make the Medical Guarantees Program more efficient and to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare services. In total, Ukraine has received $701.7 million under the project so far. I'm grateful to the Government of Japan and the World Bank for their steady support of Ukraine and their contribution to strengthening our healthcare system.

Met with Speaker of the 🇱🇹 Seimas @juozas_olekas. We discussed support for Ukraine's EU integration, in particular the work of the IBAR Task Force, which we launched with the European Commission to prepare a positive report on the fulfilment of the interim benchmarks (IBAR). I co-chair it together with European Commissioner Marta Kos. Lithuania will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2027. We have ambitious goals for this period. Asked for additional contributions to the Energy Support Fund. Ukraine is open to sharing experience, both in protecting energy facilities and in the work of emergency crews. We also focused on strengthening rail infrastructure and using the Port of Klaipeda for LNG imports and exports of Ukrainian cargo. Once again, I thanked Lithuania for its support of the defense sector, in particular the 0.25% of GDP it allocates to helping Ukraine every year. We value this. Thank you to Mr. Olekas and the 🇱🇹 people for their unwavering solidarity, friendship and partnership.