President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, informing about his participation in the online session of the European Council in Reykjavik and the necessity to make our country's defense against terror as strong as possible.

"I wish health to all dear Ukrainians!

Firstly, I want to thank everyone who defends our sky. Thank you, heroes!

Eighteen out of eighteen rockets were shot down. That's why we continue working on visits that bring more opportunities and more systems like Patriot, IRIS-T, Crotale, Hawk, NASAMS. Once again, thank you to all our partners around the world who have helped our country with these anti-aircraft defense systems!

Yesterday in Britain we agreed with Rishi, Mr Prime Minister, that we will work on an elimination coalition - training, planes, results. Yesterday this was supported by President Macron of France and today it was supported by Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister. A good start for a coalition! Thank you to everyone!

However, I want to say one more thing. We must remember how much effort is required for such weapons for Ukraine. How much time, energy, arguments, meetings, and information work it took us to build this air defense system. This is a colossal job... And I thank everyone who has been involved in it! At all levels. Day by day, month after month our team worked to ensure we have sky protection. Once upon a time, we heard that Patriot was almost impossible. But now here they are, Patriots.

And this is not everything we will secure for Ukraine! We - together with Ukraine's partners - will make the defense against terror as strong as possible.

Today from early morning upon my return from a trip I chaired a meeting of the General Staff. There were reports by commanders of operational directions, chiefs, officials responsible for defense and reconnaissance.

A very important report by General Syrskyi - about the situation on the Bakhmut direction. Thank you to all our fighters there, every soldier, sergeant, officer who does superhuman things on this front. Well done everyone!

Especially I want to highlight the 5th Separate Assault Brigade, paratroopers of "Eighty" and soldiers of the 57th Separate Mechanized Infantry Brigade. Your courage, your determination and your success in destroying the enemy - this is incredibly important! Thank you!

The Tavriysky direction. The famous 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade "Seventy-Nine", artillery of the 55th Separate Artillery Brigade, the 74th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion, the 116th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, and the 128th Separate Mountain-Assault Carpathian Brigade... Thank you! Your resilience and accuracy are exemplary.

I participated - online - in today's session of the European Council meeting in Reykjavik. All free Europe countries, strong leaders of our Europe... I thanked them for supporting our country and called on them to act together at 100% so that we are protected - all Ukraine, all of Europe, the entire free world - at 100%. No rocket from terrorists, no artillery from terrorists, and no terrorist blackmail should threaten freedom!

I held several meetings today about international events - we do everything to give our soldiers more opportunities so that ending this war becomes closer.

Preparing new news for Ukraine!

Glory to every one of our warriors!

Glory to everyone who helps!

Glory to Ukraine!"