President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, informing about two extremely positive decisions for our defense from the United States and discussions on security guarantees for our country.

"Ukrainians! Ukrainian women!

Unbreakable people of our country!

We have a series of serious news — unequivocally positive for our defense.

First. The House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States of America voted in favor of a new and significant package of support for our country and global democracy. Almost 40 billion dollars. Soon there will be another vote — in the US Senate. After which this decision will go to President Biden's desk and become law.

I am grateful to the American people and all of our friends in Congress, in the administration for this support.

What is specifically positive? These funds will be used as quickly as possible and without bureaucracy to strengthen Ukraine's defense. First of all, this is weapons and ammunition for us, equipment. But not only that. This also includes support for investigations into war crimes by the Russian Federation, occupiers, diplomatic work, etc.

The second decision — important and even historic. It is a renewal of America's famous lend-lease program. People who remember history well know that lend-lease was one of the key preconditions for the victory of the allies in World War II. Help through lend-lease from the United States to Great Britain and the Soviet Union radically changed the balance of power in Europe. Europeans then received a wide range of products under lend-lease — from aircraft to trucks, from aviation ammunition to communication equipment. By the way, American radio stations and other items placed under lend-lease continued to work for Soviet people long after the war. For decades. Hitler's Germany, even with all the resources on occupied territories, could not oppose this potential of the allies based on American industrial might.

And it is no coincidence that a new law on lend-lease for the defense of democracy in Ukraine was signed exactly on May 9. I am personally grateful to President Biden for this support, for this decision and for such symbolism.

Because we are now defending freedom and the right to life for all free peoples in a war against tyranny that poses as great a threat to Europe today as it did 80 years ago.

Simply put, lend-lease is a scheme of transferring us everything needed for defense. Although formally this seems like a loan, but essentially it is so advantageous that calling it a loan would be incorrect.

Firstly, we will get access to modern weapons, ammunition, equipment, and we do not need to look for ways to pay for all of this.

Secondly, now with lend-lease the President of the United States does not have to coordinate with Congress on what kind of help he provides. This will speed up delivery.

And there is one more thing worth mentioning separately. Ukraine is very specifically and consistently discussing with our friends the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine. The "Big Seven" meeting on May 8, where our country participated at the leader level for the first time, was primarily about this. We are agreeing with leading world powers to give Ukraine confidence in security for decades ahead.

This is the first time in the history of our state when there is a possibility to fix such guarantees. Not something in a memorandum, not some declarative desire for a certain course, but concrete guarantees. Not only legally significant, but also spelled out so that it's clear: what exactly, who exactly and how exactly guarantees this to us. God willing.

Of course, all these things will not work overnight or in just a few days. But I am confident that this May in Ukrainian history will have special significance.

Yes, Russian troops are still on our land. Those marginals whom the Russian state found as collaborators make claims of cosmic proportions and cosmic stupidity too, as was characterized by their level even in "Heart of a Dog." But whatever occupiers do, it means nothing. They have no chance. I am confident that we will liberate our land and people. By the way, today in talks with university students in France I felt such confidence in their questions. And with new support from the US, with lend-lease, with all the help we are receiving from Great Britain and the European Union, from Canada, Japan, Australia — without exaggeration, from the entire free world — it will be easier for us.

I spoke today with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. About military assistance to Ukraine, energy cooperation and new sanctions. New ones — against Russia. Step by step we are doing everything so that the aggressor feels the most pain from aggression.

However, when talking about partner support, we must not forget that victory is won directly by Ukrainians and Ukrainian women who fight. By all those who strike the enemy and strengthen defense.

Yesterday alone, 404 servicemen of Ukraine's Armed Forces were honored with state awards.

The title of Hero of Ukraine (posthumously) was awarded to Colonel Igor Bedza, head of the air security service — senior inspector-pilot of the Naval Command. And in total during the full-scale war over 13 thousand of our servicemen have been honored with state awards.

This precisely characterizes the bravery of all our defenders, all our defenders.

I am grateful to each and every one of them! Very grateful.

Eternal glory to all who fight for freedom!

Eternal memory to all who gave their lives for us, for everyone. For Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!"