President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, emphasizing the inevitability of responsibility for collaborating with occupiers and spoke about the humanitarian situation in our cities.

"Ukrainians! Ukrainian women!

Dear defenders and defenderesses!

This day, April 1st, occupiers decided to mark with two equally senseless jokes. One such joke — on people in Russia. There a spring draft has started which looks like a traditional one but differs from the usual ones. Because this year's conscripts can be sent to war against our state, against our people. Therefore, it is guaranteed death for many very young boys.

And although they are not our citizens, although they are citizens of a country that is waging war on our land, we still have an obligation as humans — to warn them.

Warn every conscript, their parents. We do not need new killed people here. Protect your children so they don't become criminals. Do not send them to the army. Do everything you can so that they live. At home. In their homes.

All the truth about this draft and the fate of conscripts will not be told to Russians anyway. But if you can convey this truth to them — do it.

And separately, I want to address what the Russian Federation is trying to do by drafting people in Crimea. This is a violation of international humanitarian law and a war crime for which there will be accountability. And also an argument for strengthening sanctions against Russia.

Therefore, I want to say to Crimean residents as well: sabotage this story at any stage. If it doesn't work out, do not carry out criminal orders and surrender to the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the first opportunity. We will understand everything. You will live.

The second very senseless early April joke that occupiers played with some residents in southern regions of Ukraine where Russian troops temporarily entered.

There they appoint some "gauleiters", some temporary leaders. And also threaten employees of enterprises and government bodies — to cooperate with these deceived appointees.

My message for them is simple: the responsibility for collaboration is inevitable. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow — that's a secondary matter. The main thing — the inevitability of justice being restored. Therefore, everyone who went into "gauleiter" positions can already register themselves somewhere in Rostov. And those who cooperate with them or directly with occupiers will have problems. This is the last warning.

In the north of our country, occupiers are withdrawing. Slowly but noticeably. In some places they are being driven out by fighting. In others, they themselves leave their positions. After them — a total catastrophe and much danger...

First — shelling may continue. Second — it will pass through the entire territory. It passes through buildings, it passes through equipment, even bodies of killed people. A lot of mines, a lot of other dangers...

We are advancing forward carefully. And everyone who returns to this territory must also be very careful! It is still impossible to return to normal life as it was. Even in those territories that we retake after battles. We have to wait. Wait until our land is demined. Wait until you can be assured that new shelling is impossible.

In the east of our country, the situation remains extremely difficult. Russian military forces are being pushed back towards Donbas and Kharkiv direction. They are preparing for new powerful strikes. We are preparing for even more active defense. Using all possibilities — both internal and external.

Once again I emphasize: ahead lie tough battles. Now it is still impossible to think that we have already passed through all the trials. We all want victory. But when it comes — everyone will see it. Everyone will feel it — that peace has arrived.

Today I spoke with President of France Macron about the humanitarian situation in Ukrainian cities being shelled by occupiers. Specifically, we talked about the situation in Mariupol. For which, I hope, a solution can still be found. Europe does not have the right to react silently to what is happening with our Mariupol. The world must respond to this humanitarian catastrophe.

Today humanitarian corridors worked in three regions — Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia. It was possible to save 6 thousand 266 people. Specifically, 3 thousand 71 people from Mariupol.

We specifically agreed on the evacuation of wounded and dead from the city. Our military, our civilians — all citizens. We talked about this with Turkey as an intermediary. I hope to be able to report on details soon.

In the evening, I met with President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola. Met in Kyiv. Grateful to her for this important visit which demonstrates to some other politicians that courage at a time like now — is one of the most important traits for a politician. We talked about how to speed up Ukraine's accession to the European Union. There are specifics. Also discussed arms supplies and support from this parliamentarians in Europe. And also — sanctions policy. A deeper sanctions policy against Russia. Because if embargo, then full embargo. If SWIFT, then for all banks. And if business with Russia, not just suspending activities but a complete exit of European companies from the Russian market.

As usual, I signed an order to award our defenders. Seven servicemen of the State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection. Of them two — posthumously.

Eternal memory to all who died for Ukraine! Eternal gratitude to our defenders, our defenderesses!

And finally. Already tomorrow, April 2nd, Ukrainian Muslims together with all the world's Muslims will welcome the sacred month of Ramadan. Sincere prayers, mutual forgiveness and good deeds characterize this month. But in Ukraine there is one more virtue added — loyalty to comrades and their people in battle.

In battles for free Ukraine. In our war for independence. Which we will definitely win. We will definitely achieve peace. For all of our land.

I sincerely wish peace! To everyone. All of Ukraine! To all people in the world.

Glory to Ukraine!