Zelensky announces new support packages for Ukraine, sanctions decisions

According to Ukrinform, the President stated this in his evening address.

As Zelensky noted, "in recent days, we have also been focused on the situation in the Odesa region. On the ground there were Deputy Prime Minister Kuleba and Deputy Head of the Office Mykyta. All necessary services and our military forces have been engaged to ensure reliable logistics with the south of the Odesa region."

He thanked "everyone who is working for the sake of our people in the Odesa region."

"There is a clear understanding of all the challenges – this is Russia's attempt to block Ukraine's access to maritime logistics. The world must not remain silent about this. Everyone must see that without pressure on Russia, they have no intention of genuinely ending their aggression. The pressure must increase," Zelensky said.

He emphasized that "next week – even though it will be Christmas week, when political activity around the world slows down – we will remain in contact with partners, with everyone who can help us defend our state, our people, our energy sector, and our resilience; with everyone who is working to exert pressure on Russia; with everyone who is making the end of the war real."

"We are working in a way that ensures every single day is used for Ukraine, and there should still be relevant news this year: support packages for our state and decisions that reduce Russia's ability to wage war, to wage war against us," he noted.

"Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine," he said.

"Next week, I also expect reports regarding certain heads of local administrations who should already be replaced," Zelensky said.

"There will also be new sanctions decisions on our part," he added.

As Ukrinform previously reported, Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro announced the first contribution to the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine in the amount of EUR 600,000.