President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed our nation, speaking about the difficult situation in Mariupol and the trademark criminal signature of the occupier's army.

"Ukrainians! Ukrainian women!

All our defenders and defenderesses!

The 55th day of our defense against Russia’s full-scale aggression is coming to an end. Now, almost the entire combat-ready part of the occupier's army is concentrated on the territory of our state and in border areas with Russia. They have turned virtually all their forces and means capable of fighting against us.

Therefore, in this confrontation, in this defense, we are actually facing an army that was considered second or third in strength globally. And how firmly our Armed Forces hold out, how bravely the entire nation defends itself, demonstrates that Ukraine’s military has long deserved to be ranked higher than Russia's.

If we had access to all the weapons we need, which are available with our partners and match those used by the Russian Federation, we would have already ended this war. We would have restored peace and liberated our territory from occupiers. The superiority of Ukrainian military in tactics and wisdom is quite evident.

That's why I literally emphasize in every contact with leaders of the democratic world, in all negotiations, in all interviews, a simple truth - it’s unfair that Ukraine still has to ask for what has been stored away somewhere in warehouses by our partners for years. If they have weapons needed here and now, if they have ammunition necessary for us right now, then it is their moral obligation to help defend freedom. To save the lives of thousands of Ukrainians.

If we had received what we are getting now in the first week of the war, the benefit for Ukraine and freedom in Europe would have been greater, I am sure. And if we receive now what some partners plan to deliver to Ukraine in the coming weeks, it will help save thousands of lives.

I hope that our partners hear this message and understand that every day counts. Any delay in helping Ukraine means more Ukrainians killed by occupiers.

The intensity of Russian army fire on the Kharkiv front, in Donbas, in Dnipropetrovsk region has significantly increased. They still consider ordinary civilian infrastructure as legitimate targets. The Russian army will forever be inscribed into world history as one of the most barbaric and inhumane armies.

Deliberately killing civilians, destroying residential quarters, civil infrastructure, using all kinds of weapons including those prohibited by international conventions - this is the trademark signature of the Russian army. And such treachery will mark Russia as a source of absolute evil for generations to come.

When the special tribunal for judging war criminals comes into effect, a Russian passport will mean only one thing in any country: an unequivocal condemnation from all decent people and a refusal to cooperate.

The situation in Mariupol remains unchanged - extremely harsh. Russian troops block any attempts to organize humanitarian corridors and save our people. Local residents who ended up in the hands of occupiers are being deported or even mobilized into occupation forces. The fate of at least tens of thousands of Mariupol residents, previously displaced to territory controlled by Russia, is unknown.

Unfortunately, we have not received a response from Russia on our proposal for an exchange that could save the lives of civilians and defenders of Mariupol. And this silence should be noted by everyone who has or may become involved with Russia. When your fate will be decided, Moscow will remain silent. This is demonstrative. And it's the best argument not to associate with the Russian Federation.

In the south of our country, occupiers are trying to show something that can be presented in Russia as if Ukrainians were willing to cooperate with Russian structures. It looks pathetic. After 55 days of war, occupiers managed to sway only marginal figures to their side.

The situation is completely understandable - Ukrainians in all regions of our state support Ukrainian national unity and the national statehood.

And I am grateful to all residents of temporarily occupied cities, temporarily occupied communities - Kherson, Kakhovka, Melitopol, and others - for this clear position. No cooperation with occupiers. No support for collaborators. The more principled we are, the more principled you will be, the sooner normal life will return.

I held a meeting today with representatives of the Verkhovna Rada. We discussed the parliamentary work plan and agreed on important projects that need to be adopted soon.

In particular, deputies were proposed to support the technical decision to extend the state of war. This is necessary for legal protection of our country's defense and stable operation of all structures.

We also discussed a bill on the procedure for relocating capacities of enterprises that have been evacuated from conflict zones, a bill amending the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine to facilitate cooperation with the International Criminal Court, and a bill regulating the legal regime in temporarily occupied territories.

The discussion was substantive, and I hope deputies will quickly process these bills.

Today I spoke with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte. I informed him about the current situation in conflict areas, especially in Donbas. I thanked for strong support to Ukraine. We coordinated further steps necessary to protect our country and freedom in Europe. We agreed on more supply of heavy weapons, including armored vehicles.

I also spoke with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. In particular, about defense, financial, and humanitarian needs of Ukraine. We are accelerating procedures so that Ukraine moves faster towards European integration. Now, during the war, this movement and its speed is also an element of our country's defense, preserving freedom for our people.

More and more global companies declare stopping operations in Russia. Today, German company Henkel joined hundreds of other large companies doing so.

I want to emphasize that this is inevitable: any normal business will have to make such a decision and leave Russia. Now, the Russian state is at a level where any association with it or support for it means complicity in mass killings. Complicity in what will be called crimes against humanity and genocide.

Before recording this address, I already signed another traditional decree on rewarding our defenders. State awards were conferred to 286 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Of them, 229 are servicemen of the Separate Marine Brigade No. 36, which together with other units heroically defend Mariupol. Eternal gratitude from all Ukrainian people to the 36th brigade, "Azov", 12th National Guard Brigade, border guards, volunteers of "Right Sector", 555th military hospital, police, territorial defense.

Eternal glory to everyone who stood up for Mariupol, our entire state and the people of Ukraine!

Eternal memory to those who died for Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!»