Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2022 Statement on the Situation in Ukraine (25/03/2022)

The statement made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 25 March 2022.

Free people of our free country!

It’s already night, but we’re working. The country must move towards peace, move forward.

With each day of our defense, we are bringing the peace we need so much closer. We are bringing victory closer. Because in this war it is simply impossible for us not to win. And it will be so. And we can’t stop even for a minute. Because every minute is about our destiny, about our future. About whether we live or not.

The 30th day. It’s been a month! If Russia had known it would face that, I’m sure they would have definitely been afraid to come here.

During this month, we’ve withstood all the main directions of Russian strikes. The world has applied destructive sanctions. And we are reaching an agreement on new ones.

Today I have delivered some important speeches. To the participants of the NATO summit, the G7 summit, to the summit of the leaders of the European Union. To the Swedish Parliament. All this is for the sake of support for our state. We need it for our protection.

I spoke with the President of Lithuania, Mr. Nausėda, Prime Minister of Israel Bennett and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Johnson. All this is for Russia to understand one thing: it is necessary to seek peace. Russia also needs to seek peace.

I informed the President of Egypt about the current situation.

And today I signed some very important decrees.

On awarding the title of Hero of Ukraine to seven servicemen of the National Guard, to five of them, unfortunately, posthumously.

Also on state awards to 240 servicemen of the National Guard of Ukraine and 119 servicemen of the Armed Forces.

On state awards to 14 heads of local communities, local authorities.

On state awards to 31 medical workers.

And on awarding the honorary title “The Hero City of Ukraine” to four more cities: Bucha, Irpin, Okhtyrka, Mykolaiv.

You know, after signing these decrees, I felt that it would really be worthwhile to award and confer the title of hero to millions and millions of our people. To you, to all Ukrainians who are doing everything they can for the sake of victory. For peace. In a place where they are.

And I am grateful to each and every one of you. To each and everyone for this month of great struggle. And, of course, to our Armed Forces, of course, the National Guard, our border guards, doctors, rescuers, territorial defense, reconnaissance officers, special services and many, many people, representatives of other professions who save our lives. Who protects our free Ukraine.

Glory to all our heroes!

Glory to all our people!

Glory to us all!

Glory to Ukraine!