President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about the inevitability of returning the Ukrainian flag to temporarily occupied areas and working on new sanctions for the aggressor country.

"Ukrainians! Ukrainians!

Every year in the last weekend of summer, our country celebrated two holidays closely connected — the Day of Donetsk City and the Miner’s Day.

In the 14th year, due to occupiers, everything changed for Donetsk. This year, all of Ukraine is not celebrating. But we have not forgotten and will never forget any of our cities or people.

Donetsk has always been one of the richest and strongest cities in Ukraine. Miner’s work has always been one of the most respected professions. Now Donbas is almost destroyed by Russian strikes, devastated. Proud and glorious Ukrainian Donetsk is humiliated by Russian occupation, looted. Russia brought there the worst — absolute disregard for any life value, absolute disrespect to anyone. Occupiers brought degradation and death. And they believe that they are there forever. But they — temporarily.

And Ukraine will return. Definitely. Life will return. Dignity to people of Donbas will return. The possibility to live will return. The possibility to live in safety and happiness. This is what our Ukrainian flag symbolizes when we raise it in Donetsk, in Gorlovka, in Mariupol, in all cities of Donbas, Azov region, in all areas that are under Russian occupation: on Kharkiv land, in Zaporizhzhia, in Kherson land. And definitely — in Crimea.

Ukraine remembers everything.

I held a meeting today with representatives of the defense and security sector. There were commanders of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, intelligence services, Security Service of Ukraine, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and other structures and directions for protecting our state.

All issues we discussed are important but confidential; I cannot detail them. But occupiers will feel the consequences in further actions of our defenders.

No terrorist will be left without a response to strikes on our cities. Zaporizhzhia, Orekhiv, Kharkiv, Donbas — they will receive answers for everything.

We are preparing for the new week — it will be very active. Important visits of partners to Ukraine are planned. I am renewing the practice of addressing states and peoples that support us.

And most importantly — we are working on new restrictions for Russia due to the war and on new packages of support for our defenders, for our state. Defense support (weapons and ammunition), financial support, political, informational, support for our reconstruction — every day each government official must demonstrate results in their area of responsibility. Only work for results gives the right to hold public office. This should be remembered by everyone who has been entrusted with power.

Thank you to all those who diligently work for the state! Thank you to all our defenders and defender women!

Glory to our soldiers!

Glory to our people!

Glory to Ukraine!"