"Ukrainians! Ukrainian women!"

All our defenders and defenderesses!

Today was a difficult day. There were news—both ordinary and tragic. I will start with international contacts. Continued addressing foreign parliaments. To those states and peoples whose support is important for us, especially now.

In my address to the Slovak parliament, I thanked them for their strong defense, sanctions, and other support. Explained our view on why energy cooperation with Russia cannot be considered in isolation from this country's aggressive policy. And using Ukraine’s example, recalling the history of so-called friendly gas relations with Russia, showed what mistakes should be avoided.

In my address to the Maltese parliament, I reminded them about the heroic battle for Malta during World War II, which is very similar in reality to our current struggle for independence and freedom against Russia.

Then, 80 years ago, the fate of the entire resistance in the Mediterranean Sea depended on the Battle of Malta. Allies won. Fascists lost.

We are doing everything to ensure that our current resistance ends exactly like this too.

And for this we need principled support, sanctions. Especially from Malta.

I held talks in Kyiv with the foreign ministers of Germany and the Netherlands. We spoke about strengthening Ukraine, about ending this war faster. Also discussed how our friends can join post-war reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.

Thankful to them for resuming embassy work in our capital. This is an important gesture that confirms Europe's confidence in Ukraine’s future.

Overall, already 36 foreign representations are working in the capital.

The armed forces of our country have brought us good news from Kharkiv Oblast. Gradually pushing back occupiers from Kharkiv.

I am grateful to all our defenders and defenderesses who are holding the defense and demonstrating truly superhuman strength to expel the army of oppressors. Once the second most powerful army in the world by might.

But I also want to call on everyone, especially those in the rear, not to spread excessive emotions. It is not worth creating a specific moral pressure atmosphere when certain victories are expected weekly and even daily.

The armed forces of Ukraine are doing everything for the liberation of our land and people. For liberating all our cities—Kherson, Melitopol, Berdyansk, Mariupol, and others.

Today a special group of international experts led by Michael McFaul and Andriy Yermak proposed a Roadmap for energy sanctions. This is a detailed document that describes what needs to be done to make it truly difficult for Russia to finance this war, but at the same time—so that the global economy does not suffer from restrictions on Russian energy resources.

This is a rationally composed document, and we have already started working on its implementation today.

And the tragic thing I want to end this address with. Today the first President of Ukraine Leonid Makarovich Kravchuk passed away.

He was not just a politician. And even not just an historical figure. He was that person who knew how to find wise words and say them in such a way that all Ukrainians would hear them.

Especially important this is during complex, crisis moments. When the wisdom of one person can determine the future of an entire country.

Leonid Makarovich showed exactly such wisdom at the end of the 1980s when the Ukrainian movement was emerging. He brilliantly navigated through 1991, and only now it may seem that it was easy for him then.

And whatever happened later, Leonid Kravchuk always remained with Ukraine.

Perhaps thanks to his wisdom he was particularly cheerful. Always valued life, every minute of it. But also always found far more than one minute to help understand and give advice. And especially for this I am personally grateful to him.

He lived through World War II as a child, survived the occupation. Leonid Makarovich knew what freedom cost. And with all his heart wanted peace for Ukraine. I am sure we will achieve it. We will reach our victory and our peace.

Eternal glory and memory to the first president of independent Ukraine!

Eternal memory to all who defended Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!"