"Wise people of a strong country!"

The 34th day of Russia's full-scale invasion and our full-scale defense is coming to an end. A successful defense.

I am sure you saw the news today that the Russian military command allegedly decided to "shorten combat operations on the Kyiv and Chernihiv axes."

Well, one could say the same about Chornobayivka: it seems like Russian aviation simply decided to fly less, and Russian equipment — to move around less. I am grateful to all our defenders, all our defenders — everyone who ensures Kyiv's defense. Their brave and effective actions force the enemy to retreat on this axis.

However, we must not lose vigilance. The situation has not become easier. The scale of challenges remains unchanged. The Russian army still has significant potential for continuing attacks against our country. They have plenty of equipment and enough completely lawless people whom they can send to the war's cauldron.

Therefore, we do not cool off or reduce our defensive efforts. As in the north of our country, so in all other regions of Ukraine where Russian troops temporarily entered. The defense of Ukraine — this is task number one now, and everything else — follows from it.

It is on this foundation that I view reports about the negotiation process taking place at various levels with representatives of the Russian Federation.

The enemy is still on our territory. Bombardments of our cities continue. Mariupol is blockaded. Rocket and aviation strikes do not stop. This — reality. This — facts.

Therefore, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, our intelligence services, everyone who joined in defending the state — this is today's sole guarantee of our survival. As a people. As a country.

A guarantee that works.

Yes, one can call positive those signals we hear from the negotiation front. But these signals do not drown out the gaps made by Russian shells.

Of course, we see all risks. Of course, we do not see grounds for trusting words coming from this or that representative of a country that continues to wage war against our destruction. Ukrainians — are not naive people. Ukrainians have already learned both during these 34 days of invasion and over the past eight years of war in Donbas, that one can only trust concrete results. Facts — if they change on our land.

Unquestionably, Ukraine is geared towards negotiations and will continue the negotiation process to the extent that it actually depends on us. We are counting on a result. There must be real security for us, for our country, for sovereignty, for our people. Russian troops must leave occupied territories. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine must be guaranteed. No compromises can or will be made regarding sovereignty and our territorial integrity.

These are clear principles. This is a clear vision of the possible outcome. And those in social media who perceive words as if they were already facts, I would like to remind one thing: we live in a democratic state and fight for our freedom. For the freedom of our people.

Therefore, any decisions that have significance for all our people should be made not by one person or group of people with any political views but by all our people. By wise Ukrainians.

And let some countries not even count on the fact that certain negotiations will lead to sanctions being lifted from Russia. The question of sanctions cannot even be addressed until the war ends, until we reclaim what belongs to us, and until we restore justice.

On the contrary, sanctions must be strengthened. Strengthened weekly. And they must be effective. Not just for media headlines about sanctions being imposed but for real peace. Real peace.

And to ensure this, a team of experts, Ukrainian and international, has already started working to assess the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia that have been introduced. The Ukrainian side is coordinated by Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak, the international — Michael McFaul.

Throughout the day in Mykolaiv, a rescue operation was underway. Clearing debris from the building of the regional administration that had been destroyed by Russian rocket strikes. As of now, eight deaths and thirty injuries are known. It is likely these are not final figures.

Russian troops carried out this strike on Mykolaiv very sneakily. When people were reaching their workplaces in the morning. Thank God, most who were inside managed to evacuate upon hearing the air raid warning signal.

This latest act of what is called Russian so-called denazification of Mykolaiv took place early on the anniversary of the city's liberation from Nazi occupiers. Mykolayvites remember March 28, 1944. And see who the Russian troops currently trying to capture their city resemble.

I spoke about Mykolaiv today in an address to the Danish parliament and people of Denmark. I proposed that society in this country take part in rebuilding the city and region after the war. Within our program for restoring Ukraine, we are inviting state partners, leading companies, best experts to ensure speed and quality of rebuilding our country.

As I was informed, this proposal was received very positively in Denmark.

Also there is important news from our officials. Starting today a new functionality will be available on our state service "Diia". As I promised, the state compensates for loss of property or apartment due to military actions. Every citizen can now submit an application through Diia.

Application submission is already available in the mobile app. You need to update the app to see this new service. And a week later it will be available offline — at centers for administrative services. The functionality of Diia itself is quite convenient. But all necessary details will still be clarified by our government.

The main thing — the state compensates every square meter of lost property.

In addition, today officials expanded a program to help institutions supporting internally displaced persons from conflict areas.

Another important decision — directed 426 million hryvnias for the payment of salaries to miners.

As usual, before recording my evening address I signed several important decrees. The first one — on awarding communications workers. Truly grateful to everyone who ensures a fundamental basis for our life. Who gives us and you communication.

By the way, it was exactly through them that the first rocket strike in the area of OSCE mission deployment took place on the day Russia's invasion began.

State awards were conferred to 12 people, four — posthumously.

The second signed decree — conferring state awards to 126 military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 34 of them — posthumously.

We will always be grateful to every defender for defending our country in the Ukrainian homeland war against Russia.

Eternal glory to everyone who gave their life for Ukraine!

Glory to every hero of ours!

Glory to Ukraine!»