President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation and spoke about the beginning of the liberation of Ukrainian cities, as well as outlined the only path leading to victory and peace.

"Ukrainians! Ukrainians!

Our defenders and defenderesses!

The 36th day of our nationwide defense after eight years of war in Donbas is coming to an end. It's hard to believe, but March has already passed. Completely unnoticed!

Time seems to not be fixed at all. Every day and every night for us have become practically the same. The same day, the same night.

And with one task for everyone — defend ourselves, save people, stop the occupiers. Drive them out.

Throughout all of March and five days in February, the occupiers tried to entrench themselves on our land from various sides — from the ground, from the sky, from the sea. They crawl, fly, swim... With so much evil, so much desire to destroy, it reminds one not of people but of something otherworldly. Some kind of monsters that burn and loot, attack and try to kill. Some kind of hellish chimera.

But when you are on your own land, everything helps you. The very earth, the rivers, and every person. Every one, even those whom we did not expect before. We have endured much more than our enemy thought possible.

They said — three or five days. They thought that would be enough for them to occupy our entire country. And now it's 36. And we stand firm. And will continue fighting further. Until the end. As long as there is strength. As long as there are opportunities. So that no monster remains on our land. So that if chimeras (referring to House of Chimeras — Ed.) then they are ours and good ones, which protect us.

I am sure it is very pleasant for each one of you to read and see news about Ukrainian cities being gradually liberated from occupiers.

And this is true. Our Armed Forces, National Police, and National Guard, intelligence — they are great. Absolute gratitude!

North of Kyiv, on the Chernihiv direction, in Sumy region, the expulsion of occupiers continues. They themselves realize that they no longer pull off the intensity of combat operations that they could provide in the first half of March.

But we must also be aware that for Russian troops — this is part of their tactics. This is not just so. We know their intentions. Know what they plan and what they do. Know that they withdraw from those directions where we beat them, to concentrate on others, very important ones. Where it might be difficult for us.

Therefore, it is extremely important for all of us to show restraint. Restraint in emotions. Restraint in experiences. We all equally want victory. All equally!

But there will still be battles ahead. A very difficult path remains before we achieve everything that we desire.

Of course, everyone must motivate our troops as much as possible, one another, support our defense. Children — with "likes". Parents — with warm words. Volunteers — with help. The people and the state — with all resources and opportunities that we have in Ukraine.

Restraint in emotions, readiness to fight until victory is achieved, and proper motivation for our troops — these are essential elements.

I work on motivating them and myself. Every day. As does each of us.

As always, before recording the address I signed a decree awarding our heroes. 136 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Grateful to every one!

And today another decision was made. Regarding anti-heroes. Right now I do not have time to deal with all traitors. But gradually they will receive their punishment.

Therefore, no longer are there generals ex-head of the Main Directorate for Internal Security of SBU Andriy Oleksandrovych Naumov and ex-head of the State Border Guard Service in Kherson region Serhiy Olexandrovich Krivoruchko.

Those military servicemen of higher rank, who were unable to determine where their Motherland is, who violated the military oath given to the Ukrainian people regarding the defense of our state, its freedom and independence, will inevitably be deprived of high military ranks according to Article 48 of the Disciplinary Code of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Accidental generals are not welcome with us!

And absolute gratitude to real heroes from Security Service — just as to everyone who sincerely protects our state. Among servicemen, there are many true heroes. Thank you to them!

The situation on the Southern direction and in Donbas remains extremely difficult.

Occupiers direct their sick creativity towards temporarily occupied areas of Kherson region. Trying to organize some incomprehensible structures there, trying to figure out how to consolidate their presence.

Of course, this is pointless for them. The more they show activity there, the more serious will be Russia's losses in the end. Russians themselves. Because who else but them would pay for occupying foreign land?

Also in Donbas, Mariupol, on Kharkiv direction Russian troops are accumulating potential for strikes. Powerful strikes. We will defend ourselves. We will do everything we can to stop occupiers and cleanse our land of their evil and senseless chimeras.

Today I addressed parliaments of countries — our partners: Australia, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Felt full support. Waiting for concrete steps. Called for even stronger sanctions against Russia. The aggressor must be pressed until aggression is exhausted.

Also spoke about this with President of the European Council Charles Michel. We need more support from our partners — right now, when Russian military are concentrating additional forces on certain directions.

Besides sanctions, we discussed in detail with Charles Michel economic support for Ukraine, financing priority projects. Dynamics of our movement towards full membership in the EU.

Sanctions policy was one of the topics of conversation between Head of Office of the President Andriy Yermak and Jake Sullivan — US President's National Security Advisor.

The United States introduced a new package of sanctions against Russia. We are grateful. It will not allow circumventing existing sanctions — such attempts we already detect. Also on restrictions to the operation of sensitive sectors of Russian economy — its defense sector.

Let Moscow not forget that sanctions policy will only continue and intensify. Until there is no peace — sanctions are necessary. Until Russia does not invest as sincerely in seeking peace as it invests in destroying our state, sanctions will remain inevitable.

Also held a conversation today with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Spoke very specifically. Among other things, about the prospects for negotiations in Turkey between Russia and the Russian Federation. As well as about creating an effective system of guarantees for our state. About security that we have always needed and are now approaching to ensure. Grateful for Turkey's readiness to become a guarantor of security for Ukraine.

And finally. I, along with government officials, already spoke about how in the State Service "Diia" applications for compensation for destroyed property of our citizens have started being accepted. The state will return everything that occupiers ruined to our people — houses, apartments and so on.

In just a few days, 25 thousand 491 applications were submitted. According to our calculations, the number of residents in these houses and apartments that were destroyed is 63 thousand 471 people. But we know that much more needs to be restored.

So tell everyone who needs it about this state program. An important program. Soon the possibility of submitting applications will also work offline, at CNAHPs, in a familiar mode for many Ukrainians.

Whatever happens, we all need to think about the future. About what Ukraine will be like after this war. How we will live together. Because this is a war for our future. A war for our life, where we have only one path — to choose peace for Ukraine. To choose security for Ukraine.

Glory to all our heroes!

Glory to Ukraine!»