President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about the need to strengthen our air defense and long-range capabilities, as well as key issues in our country's security relations with the European Union.

"Dear Ukrainians,

Today… Brief summary.

In Kyiv, debris clearance operations continued well into the evening after Russia's morning attack. A residential building was hit. Dozens were injured, four people died. My condolences to relatives and loved ones. In Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Lviv region, Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv region, Kherson region — there are casualties and damage in these regions. We will respond to Russia for every missile, every "shahed." And our task this year is not only to maximize the strengthening of Ukraine's air defense and long-range capabilities but also to inflict maximum systemic losses on Russia. This includes frozen Russian assets — both the state-terrorist entity and individuals associated with it. Everything must be confiscated and used for protection against terrorism. It is just to respond to terrorists. Just to destroy terrorists. And it is just to make a terrorist state pay for what it does. We are working intensively with our partners to implement decisions regarding Russian assets as quickly as possible.

Today, I met with the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell. Among other things, we discussed the confiscation of Russian assets. A unified and strong decision is truly needed. Such a decision that demonstrates our joint respect for international law and complete disregard for the state-terrorist entity. Of course, I informed Mr. Borrell about the current situation on the battlefield and our needs. We talked about the European decision regarding a million artillery shells — for our soldiers. And I am grateful for all efforts to implement this decision and give our boys at the front more opportunities. Mr. Borrell promised that agreements will be implemented. Today, we also discussed key issues in our security relations — between Ukraine and the European Union. We expect the creation of the Ukraine Support Fund within the framework of the European Peace Fund to take place as effectively as possible. I met today with the speaker and deputies of the Bulgarian parliament. We highly appreciate Bulgaria's support and principled stance. And for every European nation, it is truly important to be united now, to stand on the side of international law and human protection. We discussed with representatives of the Bulgarian parliament both work related to the Peace Formula and the situation in our Black Sea region, as well as bilateral cooperation, including in the defense sector. Bulgaria, thank you!

One more thing — about gratitude. Our soldiers, our combat brigades. Today we celebrate the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade. This is the Avdiivka direction. Thank you for your bravery! Mariupol direction — 79th Separate Brigade of Air Assault Troops. Thank you! Bakhmut direction — 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade "Cold Field" — well done, soldiers! North direction — 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Hetman Mazepa and 81st Separate Airborne Brigade. Thank you all for your strength! Of course, our artillerymen — the 40th Separate Artillery Brigade. Thank you for accuracy!

Thank you to everyone fighting for our country, protecting Ukraine's skies, and ensuring security in the Black Sea for Ukraine. Thank you to everyone helping us! And to each one of you working so that Ukraine can stand firm and achieve its own goals in this war.

We can win — we must win!

Glory to Ukraine!"