Dear colleagues, friends!

4 years ago, after 8 years of hybrid aggression, Russia launched an open war against the people of Ukraine with the intention of destroying not only Ukrainian statehood, but also the identity.

The morning of February 24, 2022, began with whistling of missiles and explosions, and alarming news reports: the Russian Federation’s army crossed the state border of Ukraine.

The first explosions of Russian missiles, the first deaths of Ukrainian defenders who did not flee or go home, as Putin demanded in his morning address, but took on the blow of the aggressor's regular troops.

Russian tanks rolled along the highways and reached the outskirts of Kyiv within hours. They were spreading death and destruction along the way, leaving behind damaged civilian cars with citizens trying to flee the war.

Despite its overwhelming superiority in personnel and weaponry, Russia was unable to capture the capital of Ukraine and establish its control over the state.

The mercilessness and cruelty of the Russian military shocked Ukrainians and the whole world, demonstrating the true face of the "Russian world."

Moscow compensates for its powerlessness on the frontline with terror against the civilian population: it destroys energy and life support systems, creates living conditions unbearable.

Today, our families, friends, and neighbours are truly forced to survive without electricity, heat, and even water. And this winter has been unusually cold in Ukraine.

But, instead of capitulating, the people of Ukraine are only getting stronger in their desire to defeat their eternal enemy in the over a 500-year struggle for the right to live on their own territory and to be called Ukrainians.

Terror is the Kremlin's main weapon. Many people in other countries would prefer not to know about this war, to sacrifice a part of their well-being for the sake of further support for Ukraine. We understand these simple human fears and desires very well. And we must jointly convince them – if Ukraine does not stand firm, other nations will face things that are much worse than discomfort.

In the occupied territories, the enemy sows death, terror and destruction. We see what inhuman suffering people, including women and children, experience in the occupiers captivity. And we say that this is not just an occupation army – it is Darkness, pure Evil from Hell. And we can overcome it only together – with the forces of Light.

Our invincibility is based on your support.

Together with you, we have made the Ukrainian army one of the strongest in the world. Its experience is invaluable.

We, Ukrainians, are very grateful to you, our partners, for your political, financial, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support.

Ukraine has already paid and continues bearing a huge price. Unlike Moscovians, who fight by quantity of cannon fodder, we feel the pain of every life lost – a defender, an innocent child, or a civilian.

I propose to honour the memory of the victims of Russian aggression with a minute of silence...

I sincerely wish that this barbaric, bloody war- which has no place in the 21st century, will end as soon as possible.

Thank you for being with us, thank you for your support!

Glory to Ukraine and its partners!