President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about the battle for Severodonetsk and his discussions with leaders of major American companies.

"Ukrainians! Ukrainian women!

All our defenders!

Exactly 10 years ago today, the UEFA Euro 2012 began — a football championship that united all Ukrainians, Poles and most Europeans.

The opening ceremony was in Warsaw, while the final ceremony took place here in our capital, Kyiv. Matches were held in various cities of both countries, including Donetsk at the "Donbass Arena". Only 10 years have passed, but it feels like this happened in a different world.

Today, the occupiers released an absolutely insane news item claiming they are preparing to unite football clubs from all occupied territories into one pseudo-championship. From Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Melitopol, Crimea, even parts of Georgia's territory. This is just mockery by the occupiers of people who remember everything well.

Ten years ago, our Donetsk was a strong, proud and developed city. Then Russia came along with ideas at this level of inadequacy. Now it’s a ghost town that has lost most of its population, thousands of lives, and all prospects.

Only the return of Ukraine, which will definitely happen, our flag, and Ukrainian law will mean normal life for these territories, for these cities once again — as it was before. Peaceful, safe, open to the whole world. And, of course, new matches by teams at the World level on the "Donbass Arena".

I am grateful to President of Poland Andrzej Duda, a friend to all Ukrainians, for his special trip through European countries in support of our country's European perspective. We will receive a decision regarding candidate status this month. And all our friends and diplomats are working full-time towards this.

President of Slovakia Zuzana Čaputová was also supposed to travel with Andrzej, but a positive COVID test intervened. Such conditions are part of life now. I wish Zuzana a speedy recovery.

I spoke today with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about decisions in favor of Ukraine regarding candidate status, which will also be good for Europe. We discussed defense support and food security, which is already a global interest. No one can benefit from a global food crisis except the Russian state.

I addressed participants at an investment conference organized to discuss our country's economic prospects. Among the attendees were representatives of the largest world funds. Although it was not public, it was still very significant and powerful. I invited them to invest in Ukraine. Invest.

Also spoke with members of the community of leaders of major American companies. This is already the 133rd such summit, bringing together leading global business forces. We discussed how business can help Ukraine stand firm. I called on them to leave the Russian market and not support this war through their taxes.

It’s very important for me to see that in such an audience — once again, representatives of the most influential part of American business — believe sanctions against Russia should be strengthened. Therefore, it would be right for politicians to hear this position. Leading business and majorities in societies across America and Europe consider there is still not enough pressure on the Russian Federation to end this war.

Severodonetsk remains the epicenter of confrontation on the Donbas as of today, the 105th day of full-scale war. We are defending our positions, inflicting significant losses on the enemy.

This is a very tough battle, one of the hardest during this entire war. I am grateful to everyone who defends here now. Much will be decided there for our Donbas.

Also signed decrees awarding our heroes. 285 participants in combat actions have been awarded state honors, 68 posthumously.

Eternal glory to all who gave their lives for Ukraine!

Glory to our heroes who defend the country!

Glory to Ukraine!"