President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko discussed plans to prepare for another winter under Russian bombardment on Thursday, Zelensky said.
Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow’s strategy of targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has caused untold civilian suffering – with tens of thousands of people across the country plunged into cold and darkness as temperatures have repeatedly drop below freezing.
Writing on Telegram, Zelensky said that he and Svyrydenko had discussed “our strategy for the restoration of energy and renewed energy protection for the next winter.”
Ukraine’s strategy for the winter of 2026-2027 will be finalized on March 1, Zelensky said, “so that the European Commission, the countries of Europe, America, global business, and Ukrainian companies that have the appropriate strength – so that everyone can join and work together with us, together with our people, for greater stability and greater opportunities for the next winter.”
Zelensky said that he was “counting on proposals from the regions” of Ukraine on how to improve the country’s national response.
“All the positive experience of Ukrainian cities, the experience of Ukrainian communities that are going through this winter better than others – all this experience must be taken into account,” he added. “This is your responsibility, and the regions must be really prepared.”
Also on Thursday, Axios reported that US President Donald Trump has told Zelensky that he would like to see the war end within a month – citing a source said to be familiar with their latest phone call.
During his 2024 re-election campaign, Trump repeatedly promised to end Russia’s war in Ukraine within 24 hours.
US and Ukrainian delegations are currently in Geneva for bilateral talks on ending Russia’s full-scale war. Trilateral talks with Russia are slated for early March.