(MENAFN) According to recent reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv and Athens have finalized an arrangement to bring Greek gas into Ukraine to help offset expected winter shortages. In a video message posted on social media, he said: “Today, we have already prepared an agreement with Greece on gas for Ukraine, which will be another gas supply route to secure imports for the winter as much as possible.”

Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine has already lined up financial mechanisms to purchase imported gas and vowed to raise nearly €2 billion ($2.16 billion) to make up for domestic production losses caused by continued Russian strikes. He highlighted the financial backing provided by European partners and ongoing cooperation with the US to ensure full funding.

He added that Kyiv is building multiple pathways for winter energy supplies, mentioning cooperation with Poland and active talks with Azerbaijan: “We are creating broad opportunities for winter supplies. In particular, through our Polish partners, and we are working actively with Azerbaijan - and we very much count on long-term contracts. We have discussed this with the president recently.”

The president spoke as Ukraine faced another wave of overnight attacks, during which its air force claimed to have intercepted 139 of 176 drones aimed at several regions, including Odesa, where energy infrastructure and a solar plant were hit. At the same time, Moscow asserted that its own defenses brought down dozens of Ukrainian drones targeting multiple Russian regions.

Amid rising tensions over strikes on both countries’ energy facilities, Zelenskyy also announced progress on a major defense agreement with France, describing it as “historic” and saying it would enhance Ukraine’s air defenses, aviation, and other military capabilities. The deal is expected to be finalized during his upcoming visit to France, with a trip to Spain planned immediately afterward.

Zelenskyy also hinted at movement toward renewed dialogue with Russia and ongoing efforts to restart prisoner-of-war exchanges. "We are also counting on the resumption of POW exchanges – many meetings, negotiations, and calls are currently taking place to ensure this," he said.

According to additional reports, Ukrainian officials have been holding talks in Türkiye and the UAE about reviving detainee swaps. Ukraine’s security chief said the discussions led to an agreement to reactivate previously negotiated Istanbul mechanisms, which involve the planned release of 1,200 Ukrainian prisoners once technical arrangements are completed.

Previous rounds of mediated peace discussions in Istanbul earlier this year produced substantial prisoner exchanges and draft documents outlining initial positions for a potential future peace settlement, though the conflict continues more than three years after it began.

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