Petro Poroshenko

Aug 31, 2026

Imperfect translation:

Today, the country is living in an absolutely abnormal regime due to the Russians’ terror against civilians. Air raid sirens are going off one after another, cities are constantly coming to a standstill, people can’t get to work or return home for hours.

And the main question I’m hearing today: what are we going to do next? How are we going to live in this situation? This is not just a question from Sloviansk or Kramatorsk. This is a question from Kyiv, Dnipro, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia.

Tomorrow is September 1st. Thousands of parents still don’t understand how their children will study, especially in places where there are no proper shelters.

This is no longer just the inconveniences of war. This is a situation that risks becoming uncontrollable.

We have entered a new stage of the war, which has shown the depth of the crisis of state governance in the country.

Let’s be honest and say Zaporizhiaбить Putin. He is not just trying to hit Kyiv. He wants to turn off Kyiv. To exhaust it with constant air raids. To paralyze transport. To stop enterprises. To disrupt logistics. To force people to finally say: it’s impossible to live here.
Because Kyiv is a special target for him.

Today, it’s not enough to just call on people to endure. We need to finally organize life in the capital and in accordance with the war that Russia is waging today, not the one we were preparing for yesterday.
First, the city cannot stop indefinitely. Safety is definitely above all. But if alarms become constant, it means that the city’s rules of operation must also change. The government, military, city authorities, transport workers, and businesses must sit down and come up with a clear algorithm for the people. How will this continue?

And don’t underestimate the value of this chaos. When Kyiv stands for hours — a huge part of the Ukrainian economy stands. These are billions that won’t come from the budget to the army.

Second, the start of the school year. Where is the clear solution for parents? Give people rules. Take responsibility. This is what the state exists for.

Third, return 8 billion and the PFO of combat brigades to Kyiv, because this week Kyiv is forced to conduct a budget sequestering for the first time. Reduce all expenditures to protect the city. Today, Kyiv needs money for shelters. We need to build another level of the city — a protected one.

Fourth, business. Insurance for military risks is needed. Money for quick recovery after the strikes. New logistics. The possibility for businesses to invest in their own protection, including private air defense systems.

And finally, the parliament must finally work properly. We need to negotiate with the IMF, pass laws that determine the country’s financial stability.
Fifth, energy. Putin has already stated that his main goal is energy, and specifically the energy of Kyiv, whose protection has been left without funding. Therefore, there is a need for maneuverable generation, cogeneration, and backup power for hospitals, water supply, and communication systems to be installed.

When the state does not have time, Ukrainians have always saved themselves. This is our great strength. Therefore, I am addressing the homeowners’ associations, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and neighbors: check your shelters. Think about backup power. About water. About the elderly in your home, who have nowhere to go during an alarm and who cannot cope on their own. Our team will definitely be there.

And I want to thank everyone who today is not letting this city stop. Rescuers and firefighters. Medical workers, especially the emergency room. Utility workers. Drivers. Energy workers. Entrepreneurs. People who, after another sleepless night, still open shops, pharmacies, businesses. Teachers.

Putin wants Kyiv to get tired.
We will definitely not give this to him. But resilience is when the state organizes life in such a way that people can live even when the enemy does everything to prevent them from living. Kyiv needs a plan for living.

With these demands, we are going to the opening of the new session of the Verkhovna Rada tomorrow. We are the opposition, but we are ready to cooperate with the government in legislative support of all necessary decisions, up to the creation of a coalition and a government of national unity. But the government needs quick and responsible actions.

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Roshen Logistics Center…

A few days ago, people were working here, and trucks with goods were heading to different parts of Ukraine. It was a busy time. And today – it’s ruins.

Seven attack “Shahed” missiles were deliberately aimed at our warehouses. This is not the first or even the second attack on one of Ukraine’s largest enterprises – a company that provides jobs to thousands of people, pays millions in taxes, and continues to operate despite the war.

I spoke with employees and rescuers who were on the scene. The most important thing is that no one was hurt because all safety protocols were followed. In this terrible situation, this is the only thing that truly brings joy.

Businesses are suffering across Ukraine. The enemy is deliberately destroying the backside – trying to destroy the Ukrainian economy, jobs, enterprises that hold the country together.

Ahead lies a harsh winter, and I once again call on the authorities to prepare for it. We need unity in dialogue with our partners on air defense missiles, we need unity in protecting critical infrastructure, and ultimately, we need unity for peace in Ukraine.

I believe we will prevail. We will recover. And we will continue to strengthen our Armed Forces so that the enemy can no longer destroy Ukraine.

……………

After numerous business trips and nights without sleep, I often just want to drop by Mak — to have a coffee and eat cheese. I think many will understand me 🙂

There are always hugs, selfies, and a few short conversations here. But today everyone is a bit tired. I don’t think it’s necessary to explain why.

In recent days, we’ve been hearing alarm about the alarm, and we’ve been constantly updating the news feed.

As soon as the siren goes off, not only Mak, but thousands of other establishments, stores, and shopping malls across the country are closing. And dozens of times a day.

Employees often spend more time in shelters than at their jobs. Cafes, shops, workshops, restaurants, and entire production facilities lose working hours, customers, and revenue every day. For the Ukrainian economy, this is a huge blow.

We’re losing profits, jobs, and sometimes entire businesses that can barely survive the challenges of war anyway.

So today I want to especially thank everyone who continues to work. To those who are opening their establishments after the troubles, who are getting up for a shift, brewing coffee, baking bread, repairing cars, and producing and selling.

The enemy wants to exhaust us and break us. But I know for sure: it will break on its own.

Thank you, McDonald’s, for your hospitality ❤️