President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the British Parliament and government officials, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
He addressed all citizens of the United Kingdom and spoke about 13 days of Ukrainian resistance. The video was broadcasted on the Parliament TV channel.
"I appeal to all the people of Great Britain - a great nation with a great history. As a citizen and as the president of another great country, I appeal to you with a great dream and a great struggle. I want to tell you about our 13 days. 13 days of war we did not start, and we didn't want to, but we are fighting it. Because we don't want to lose what we have, "the president began his speech.
He noted that on the first day of the war, Russian cruise missiles flew to Ukraine at 4 am. On the second day, Ukraine fought back on land, at sea, and in the air. On the third day, Russian troops bombed residential buildings with artillery.
On the fourth day, when the defenders began to take dozens of prisoners, the Ukrainians did not lose their humanity and did not mock them. On the fifth day, terror against the civilians became outright: the bombing of houses, schools, and hospitals. This is a genocide that mobilized everyone.
On the sixth day, Russian missiles hit Babyn Yar, where the Nazis executed 100,000 people. Russia killed them for a second time. On the seventh day it became clear that the enemy was destroying even the churches. On the eighth day, the world realized that Russia was conducting a tank attack at a nuclear power plant. It became clear that this was a terror against all. On the ninth day, we listened to a meeting of NATO countries and were left without the desired result - the closure of the sky.
"We felt that the alliances are not working. They can't even close the sky. That's why security guarantees in Europe need to be built from scratch. On the 10th day, unarmed Ukrainians protested in the occupied cities. Massively.
On the eleventh day, the enemy damaged the children's oncology hospital. On the twelfth day, when the losses of the Russian army exceeded 10,000 killed, this number included a general.
"And this gave us confidence that for all crimes, there will be punishment. The punishment delivered by the international court or by Ukrainian weapons," he added.
On the thirteenth day, a child died of dehydration due to the siege of Mariupol by the Russians. People are locked in basements; we are not allowed to deliver food and water to them.
In the 13 days of the Russian invasion, 50 children were killed. It's scary. Instead of 50 universes that could live. They took them. Britain, Ukraine does not seek greatness. But it has become great. Ukraine saves people, despite the terror of the occupiers. It protects freedom from the attacks of one of the world's largest armies. Despite the open sky. It is still open to Russian missiles and aircraft, "said the President of Ukraine.
He thanked Britain for its support but asked for further sanctions.
"To be or not to be?" - You are well aware of this Shakespear's question. 13 days ago, this question could still refer to Ukraine. But not now. It is evident that "to be." It is evident that "to be free". And where, if not here, to remind you of words that Britain has already heard. And which are relevant again. We will not give up and will not lose! We will go to the end. We shall fight on the seas and oceans; we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air; we shall defend our land, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills, and I will add: we will fight on the slag heaps, on the banks of the Kalmius and the Dnipro! We will not surrender! Of course, with your support, for which we are grateful and which we are still counting on, "he said.
Volodymyr Zelensky asked for stricter sanctions against Russia and to find a way to make Ukraine's sky safe.
"Do what you can, what you have to do. Do what greatness requires," Zelensky emphasized.
We should recall that Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in the address on 8 March 2022 said that it is Russia and its military who are to blame for each death of each Ukrainian from airstrikes and in the cities blocked by occupiers.Those who give criminal orders and deliberately eliminate the Ukrainian people are to blame for this.
The occupiers are to blame, but the responsibility for this lies also with those who can, but do take the decision to close the sky over Ukraine from Russian enemy aircraft and cruise missiles.