Dear colleagues! Dear Ukrainians!

We are starting our Government meeting with the most pressing issue of the day – the situation with power supply in Odesa. A serious accident occurred at a substation damaged by the enemy. As a result, Odesa was left without electricity, heat and water. The Government and the energy sector responded immediately. A special group has been set up to deal with the issue at the highest level.

As of now, the situation has been partially resolved. Critical infrastructure has been powered. People have heat and water. Repairs are ongoing 24/7. Thanks to this, people should have electricity for at least 4-5 hours a day. We are doing everything possible to improve the situation, but let’s be honest, the damage is very serious.

So far, more than 80 powerful generators have been delivered to Odesa, and more are still being supplied. An extensive network of Points of Invincibility is deployed in the city and the district.

Also, today, by Government’s decision, we are allocating UAH 30 million from the reserve fund of the State Budget to the Odesa Regional Military Administration for the purchase of fuel for generators. This will keep the critical infrastructure operational until the repairs are completed.

The Minister of Energy and the head of Ukrenergo are keeping everything under personal control and will continue to report on the progress of repairs. I would like to emphasize once again for Odesa residents: the authorities at all levels are doing everything to ensure that your homes have heat, water and electricity.

The next issue that needs to be addressed is the deprivation of state awards.

A petition to deprive MP Yuriy Boyko of the title of Hero of Ukraine received 25,000 votes on the President’s website. We have an interdepartmental group headed by the First Deputy Prime Minister that deals with sanctions policy. The group considered the possibility of depriving the MP of this title at two of its meetings.

The members of the working group – including representatives of the Government, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Prosecutor General’s Office, and other bodies – concluded that due to a conflict in the applicable legislation, it is currently impossible to deprive some individuals of the highest state awards.

That is why back in December, I instructed the Ministry of Justice and the First Deputy Prime Minister to develop amendments to the legislation that would remedy the situation.

This order has been fulfilled, and today the Government will approve the relevant draft law. The draft law stipulates that the imposition of sanctions on a person gives grounds for depriving them of state awards. I hope that the draft law will be promptly considered by the MPs of Ukraine.

Also today, the Government instructs the Interagency Working Group on sanctions policy to reconsider the issue of depriving Yuriy Boyko of the title of Hero of Ukraine, to immediately prepare proposals for the imposition of sanctions and submit them to the National Security and Defense Council for consideration simultaneously with the entry into force of the above-mentioned draft law.

Another issue that also causes outrage is the situation around the possibility of allowing russian and belarusian athletes to participate in the Olympics in Paris under a neutral flag.

These are the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee. Ukraine categorically disagrees with it. The President of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada, the Government, and the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine have a consolidated and clear position. There can be no neutrality while the war is on. While Ukrainian athletes are being killed, sports infrastructure is being destroyed, and a part of the country is occupied.

During the war, more than 200 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed, more than 120 sports facilities have been destroyed by enemy missiles and artillery, more than 300 sports schools have ceased to exist, and 150,000 athletes have no training facilities. This is more than enough reason for athletes from russia and belarus to be banned from participation in any sporting event, especially the Olympics.

Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia have already condemned the IOC’s intentions to rehabilitate russian and belarusian sports. We call on the global sports community to show solidarity and prevent the propaganda of war, which is being used as a tool by athletes from russia and belarus.

Finally, on behalf of the Ukrainian Government, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the Turkish people. The terrible earthquake in Turkey has already claimed the lives of thousands of people, thousands were injured, and tens of thousands were left homeless. Ukraine knows the price of loss, and today we feel the pain of our neighbors.

We were among the first to offer our assistance. On behalf of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine will provide humanitarian and technical assistance to Turkey.

We are talking about sending a group of rescuers and equipment to Turkey, ready to perform the most difficult missions.

It is our duty to stand in solidarity to overcome the consequences of the natural disaster as soon as possible. We remember those who helped us and are always ready to help our friends and partners.

And one more thing. Today, at the Government meeting, Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs appointed by the Verkhovna Rada, is already working with us. The Ministry has been and remains one of the key elements in the defense of our country. The priorities are clear and understandable: defense of the country, liberation of territories, protection of borders, fight against crime, and security of Ukrainians.

There is a lot to do. So much is about responsibility. I wish Ihor Klymenko the strength and patience to overcome all challenges.

Let’s keep working for our victory. Thank you for your attention! Glory to Ukraine!