Good afternoon, dear colleagues, dear Ukrainians!

We are starting a meeting of the Government.

On January 14, russia carried out one of the largest and most destructive missile attacks on Ukraine. A terrible tragedy occurred in Dnipro, where the enemy hit a residential building. As of now, 44 people are dead, including 5 children. 79 people are injured.

Our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims! We will remember, never forgive and punish everyone who gave and executed criminal orders. This terrorist attack once again demonstrates a simple truth – russia has no place among civilized countries. Only total international isolation, deadly sanctions and defeat on the battlefield.

The latest massive attack had destructive consequences for the Ukrainian energy sector. Generation facilities were damaged: 1 unit of a thermal power plant in the East and 8 units of thermal power plants in the West of our country. Three main substations and one overhead line were damaged.

This led to an increased power deficit in the energy system. This forces us to apply emergency shutdowns every day, starting from January 15.

However, the power system has withstood, remained integral and manageable. Repairs are carried out round the clock. Every day we work to ensure that Ukraine receives more generators, transformers and other equipment to eliminate damage.

In the energy sector, we feel the constant support of foreign friends and our partners. In particular, we plan to purchase power equipment worth more than EUR 100 million at the expense of the Ukraine Energy Support Fund.

The latest deliveries include 45 backup power plants from Azerbaijan and powerful generators for Chernihiv region provided by Japan. We thank everyone for their support!

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Another extraordinary manifestation of solidarity is macro-financial assistance to Ukraine from the European Union.

Yesterday, Ukraine and the EU signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which we would receive EUR 18 billion in 2023. The first tranche – EUR 3 billion – has been transferred to the accounts of Ukraine.

These funds are needed, in particular, for the payment of pensions, salaries, social benefits. We thank our European friends.

Now we are preparing for a meeting with a delegation of the European Commission headed by Ursula von der Leyen, who will arrive in Kyiv on February 2. Important intergovernmental consultations will be held. We will “synchronize watches” on implementation by Ukraine of the European Commission’s recommendations, assess the degree of progress and get an understanding of the prospects of our joint work.

We already have five “visa-free regimes” with the EU: energy, economic, transport, customs and digital. We will move further towards the “industrial visa-free regime” (ACAA agreement), accession to the EU roaming zone, integration into the Single Euro Payments Area. We will also negotiate on extension of duty-free import of our goods to Europe. We will discuss all urgent issues: cooperation in the military sphere, support for energy, financial sphere, humanitarian cooperation, and other important issues.

Since obtaining the EU candidate status, we have made a number of very important steps that ensure irreversibility of our reforms and comply with the 7 recommendations of the European Commission.

First of all, a head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office was appointed to ensure effective investigation of crimes. Following a transparent selection based on international standards, the High Council of Justice has been formed. Soon, the first competitive selection of judges to the Constitutional Court in the history of our independence will begin.

We must continue to demonstrate high dynamics of democratic transformations.

One of the key steps at this stage is completing the competition for the position of Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau. Five out of nine stages have already been passed.

Now the Government is concerned about the possible delay of this process. The candidates have to complete a practical task, pass an assessment of personal competencies and a corresponding interview with the Selection Commission.

I am confident that two weeks is enough to complete these procedures and submit a list of three selected candidates for the position of NABU Director by January 31.

It is important for Ukraine to do its “homework” in time and in full, the first assessment of which will take place in February this year during the EU-Ukraine Summit. In particular, to complete the competition for the position of Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau.

And finally. The Government continues to improve the mechanisms of supporting Ukrainian business. Today we are making a decision on changes to the procedures for providing grants under the eRobota program.

Thus, microgrants for small and microbusinesses will be paid primarily from the resources of the Fund of obligatory state social insurance in case of unemployment. This will ensure the stability of the program funding.

Also, microgrants approved in 2022 will be paid from the general fund of the state budget.

Hence, we are on course to further support business. We believe in the Armed Forces. We work for our victory!

Thank you for your attention! Glory to Ukraine!