Zelensky warns Ukrainians of a “very harsh winter”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged citizens to prepare for the coming winter, which could turn out to be worse than the previous one.

He made the statement in an interview with Sky News.

“First of all, we will have to prepare for a very harsh winter. No one can imagine what it will be like. It may be hard or even worse. It will depend on our partners and on us,” Zelensky said.

The remarks came in the context of the appointment of the country’s new prime minister. The post went to former head of Naftogaz Serhiy Koretsky. According to the president, Ukraine needs a prime minister who understands the coming challenges and is “focused on energy issues.”

Zelensky had previously also stated that he was “completely dissatisfied” with the country’s preparations for winter. He cited this as the reasoning behind Koretsky’s appointment: the new head of government must focus on “plans for getting through the winter.”

On July 20, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a phone call with the Ukrainian prime minister. Following the call, she stated that Kyiv could count on Europe’s “full support” in preparing for winter. During the conversation, the two sides also discussed weapons production for Ukraine.