Disconnection from the Russian power grid: Zelenskyy comments on the Baltic states' decision
The Baltic states have also freed themselves from dependence on Moscow.
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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Photo: Associated Press
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the disconnection of the Baltic states from the Russian power grid an important event for both the region and Europe as a whole.
He spoke about this during his evening address on February 9.
"Good friends of Ukraine have disconnected from the Russian energy grid. Their energy systems are now fully synchronized with the European continental system," he explained.
Zelenskyy recalled that Ukraine had already done the same in 2022.
"And now the Baltic states have also freed themselves from dependency. Moscow will no longer be able to use energy as a weapon against the Baltic states. This also means that Europe has become even more cohesive. This is exactly the course all of us in Europe should continue to follow across the continent. This is in particular relevant for Central European countries – those that still have agreements with Russia. We need to work more closely with America – LNG gas, oil," the President stressed.
He added that more cooperation is needed with Ukraine’s partners in neighboring EU countries and in the region to import the necessary energy.
"The Caucasus, the Middle East, North Africa. The less dependent Europeans are on Russia, the sooner we can ensure reliable security for everyone in Europe. I congratulate our friends – Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia – on today’s achievement," he said.
He also thanked the European Union for its support for our region, for our common security. And once again emphasized the importance of sanctions, in particular against the Russian shadow fleet.
"In the same way, we need to put pressure on Russia's attempts to use its tankers and its fleet against us, against all of Europe. In Ukraine, we have recently expanded the sanctions so that not only Russian tankers are sanctioned, not only the companies they are registered under, but also so that the captains of these vessels, the people who work for this war, feel this pressure. This needs to be upheld at the European level – the European Union must join these sanctions in the energy sector," Zelenskyy explained.
Hard areas: Syrskyi reports on the situation in Donetsk region
Zelenskyy also stated that on February 9, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported to him on the situation in Donetsk region, particularly in the Pokrovsk, Vremivka, and other hard areas.
The President highlighted the extraordinary bravery of Ukrainian soldiers from the 33rd, 225th, and 425th separate assault regiments.
"Thank you very much, guys! Also, the 82nd and 95th brigades on the Kursk front lines demonstrate highly effective enemy destruction. We must hold all our positions firmly. The stronger we stand on the front lines, the stronger our diplomacy – our work with partners – will be. Thank you to everyone standing with Ukraine," - Zelenskyy said.
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