"Ukraine will present in Lugano a national perspective on recovery. We need to create a new foundation for our life." Address by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, outlining the largest economic project of our time in Europe.

"Ukraine will present in Lugano a national perspective on recovery. We need to create a new foundation for our life." Address by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky

Photo from president.gov.ua

"Wishing health to all Ukrainians!

We are actively preparing for the start of a special conference in Lugano, Switzerland. The first day is on Monday. A large-scale international event dedicated to rebuilding our country. Rebuilding in a broad sense. We need not only to restore everything that was destroyed by the occupiers but also to create a new foundation for our life, for Ukraine—a safe, modern, comfortable, barrier-free one. This requires massive investments—billions, new technologies, advanced experience, new institutions, and of course, reforms.

And starting on Monday, Ukraine will present in Lugano its national perspective on how to achieve all this.

In fact, this is the largest economic project of our time in Europe, offering extraordinary opportunities for every country and company we invite to work in Ukraine.

The territory of 10 regions has suffered from military actions since February 24. So far, we have managed to liberate 1027 towns and villages; another 2610 remain under Russian occupation. Most of them require rebuilding, hundreds were completely destroyed by the Russian army, they essentially need to be rebuilt from scratch. But also dozens of cities in other regions of Ukraine have been hit by missile strikes. Hundreds of enterprises have been destroyed, including complex and very dangerous industries—chemicals, metallurgy...

Of course, we have already started restoring normal life in the liberated communities on our own. But to implement such a large-scale project across the country, to set new safety standards and improve quality of life, we need to engage international resources.

Therefore, the conference in Lugano could become an important step towards rebuilding Ukraine. And when we realize this project—which I am confident will happen—the countdown may well start from this event.

While there is still a lot to do for our victory and it's a tough path because the war continues, right now we must do everything possible so that the aggressor loses not only on the battlefield but also historically, conceptually... So that everyone in Russia remembers that Ukraine cannot be broken. By nothing, by no one—not even by a brutal war.

Today, the Russian army continued to hit our cities with missiles. As of evening, there were already six missile strikes. In total, 12 rockets—on Mykolaiv, in Donbas... Air raids continue. Brutal military actions are ongoing along the entire front line; Donetsk is the epicenter, naturally, in towns of Luhansk region. Enemy activity is increasing on Kharkiv territory. We managed to expel occupiers from Ivanivka in Kherson region and we continue to press southward...

In many rear cities, there's a sense of relaxation now, but the war hasn't ended—it still exists. Unfortunately, its brutality is increasing in some places, and it cannot be forgotten. Therefore, help our army, help volunteers, help everyone who remains alone during this time. And use all your contacts abroad, all your information resources, even social media, to spread the truth about the war and the crimes of occupiers on our land.

Tomorrow and throughout the next week will be important for Ukraine with negotiations and meetings—diplomatic activity does not decrease a single day. We expect new decisions from partners regarding defensive aid to our country...

The main thing is that no matter how difficult it may be for us today, we must remember what tomorrow will bring. And tomorrow should bring Ukraine maximum benefit—everyone and every person must do everything possible to achieve this.

Thank you to all our defenders, thank you to all our female defenders!

You are great! Strong!

Glory to Ukraine!"