Zelensky: we are left alone in the defense of our state (the address). According to the President, NATO does not want to take Ukraine into the Alliance.
Russia attacked the entire territory of Ukraine. And today our defenders have done a lot. The president of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky declared it in the address, adding that the defenders are brilliantly defending the country.
"They have defended almost the entire territory that was hit directly. They are repelling the one that the enemy managed to occupy. For example, Gostomel near Kyiv. This gives more confidence to the capital," the president said.
According to him and the preliminary data, 137 military and civilians have been killed.
"On the island Zmiyiniy (Snake Island), defending it to the last, all the border guards died heroically. However, they did not give up. All of them will be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine posthumously. Eternal memory to those who gave their lives for Ukraine," said the President.
He also denied the information that he had left Kyiv.
During the day I held dozens of international talks, directly leading the defense. And I am going to stay in the capital. My family is also in Ukraine. According to our information, the enemy marked me as target number one. My family - as target number two. They want to destroy Ukraine in politically, destroying the Head of State," Zelensky said.
He called on Kyivites to be careful, to follow the rules of the curfew because of sabotage groups that entered the city.
"According to our information, the enemy marked me as a one-size-fits-all. My family is my number two target. They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the Head of State," Zelensky said.
He noted that he had had many talks with leaders of other countries.
"First, we are supported. And I am grateful to each state that helps Ukraine specifically. Not just in words.
But there is another thing - we are left alone in the defense of our state. Who is ready to fight with us? I do not see such people. Who is ready to guarantee Ukraine's accession to NATO? Everyone is afraid.
Today we heard from Moscow that they still want to talk. They want to talk about Ukraine's neutral status.
I tell all the partners of our state: now the fate of our country is being decided. I ask them: are you with us? They answer that they are with us. But they are not ready to take us with them to the Alliance," the President said.
"I have asked twenty-seven European leaders whether Ukraine should be in NATO. I was asking directly. They are all afraid. And we are not afraid. We are not afraid to talk to Russia. We are not afraid to talk about security guarantees for our country. We are not afraid to talk about neutral status. What security guarantees will we have? And which countries will give them? We need to talk about ending this invasion. We need to talk about a ceasefire. But now the fate of the country depends entirely on our army, our security forces, and all our defenders. And our people, your wisdom.", summed up the president.