President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, reminding them of the heroism of Chernobyl disaster liquidators and calling on partners to strengthen Europe's defense against Russia's aggressive ambitions.

"Ukrainians! Ukrainian women!

All our defenders and defenders-in-waiting!

Every year on April 26, the world commemorates the Chernobyl disaster, the most devastating nuclear accident in human history.

But this year it is not enough just to remember Chernobyl. It is not enough to say traditional words of gratitude to the heroes-liquidators. Not enough to remind why and how the catastrophe became possible. Not enough to repeat conclusions that every reasonable person and every sane society should draw.

Because this year Russia created new threats that could surpass even that most terrible accident.

I recall the night of March 4, when we learned about a fire at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

When Russian tanks shelled the station. They knew exactly which object they were firing at. But their order was to capture it at any cost.

Nothing bothered them. Not that Zaporizhzhia is the largest in Europe. They did not even think about how many reactors there are and what could result from shelling.

That night I spoke with world leaders. With everyone who could influence events and stop Russia. Spoke with President Biden, Chancellor Scholz, President of the European Council Charles Michel, President of Poland Andrzej Duda... Spoke with Director General Grossi of the IAEA.

If the world had not woken up that night, we would not be commemorating Chernobyl today because everyone's thoughts would have been about what Russia did at Zaporizhzhia.

It is even astonishing how quickly and completely Russia — an entire state — can forget the most terrible catastrophe its people also experienced.

The aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster was not only dealt with by Ukrainians, but also Belarusians, Russians, and others.

This disaster should be taught in Russian schools. It should be remembered every April 26 in Russia as it is done around the civilized world.

Instead of this, they launched three missiles against Ukraine today so that they flew directly over blocks of our nuclear power plants. Over Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi and South Ukrainian NPPs. What does this mean? Are they threatening? Or are they shooting at us? There are no words...

It turns out that they do not understand what Chernobyl is about.

Russian troops attempting to advance on Kyiv through the Chernobyl zone used this closed territory as a military base.

They set up positions on land where simply standing is forbidden. They drove armored vehicles over territories contaminated with radioactive materials, where the number of radioactive particles exceeds all limits. They destroyed dosimetry control points. Broke and dismantled radiation monitoring systems at the Chernobyl NPP. Robbed a nuclear analytical laboratory...

They even stole contaminated items that were confiscated from violators of the exclusion zone!

Only thanks to the professionalism and dedication of our specialists working at the Chernobyl plant and other objects in the Chernobyl zone was Ukraine, Europe saved from a new catastrophe.

Only thanks to the professional team of Zaporizhzhia NPP and our entire nuclear industry is it possible under wartime conditions to ensure safe operation of power plants.

Today in Kyiv, Director General Grossi of the IAEA was visiting. We discussed all the dangers created by Russia and ways to influence the situation to secure Europe and the world from absolutely irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation.

Also honored our heroes today — shift workers at Chernobyl NPP who did not abandon the object, supported its operation despite the threat to their lives, and despite occupiers' lack of even basic understanding of radiation safety.

I believe that after everything Russian troops have done in the Chernobyl zone and at Zaporizhzhia NPP, no one in the world can feel safe knowing how many nuclear objects, nuclear weapons, and related technologies are in Russia's possession.

If Russians forgot what Chernobyl is about, it means that global control over Russian nuclear facilities and nuclear technology is needed.

Today I spoke with the Prime Minister of Japan. Among other things, about dangers created by Russia. About the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine. Thanked Japan for a powerful sanctions package, support, and leadership necessary to force Russia into peace and recognize fundamental principles of international law. Also discussed post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and possible role of Japan in future security agreements.

The Prime Minister of Romania visited Kyiv today. Thanked for defensive and political support.

Discussed not only bilateral cooperation between our countries and joint work to defend freedom in Europe, but also cooperation at the EU level. Consider perspectives and threats to European unity, especially in the Black Sea region.

Agreed to work even more resolutely together to ensure security in our region.

Today an important meeting of defense ministers from partner countries took place in Germany. The key issue — strengthening Europe's defense against Russia's aggressive ambitions.

In the free world, almost no one remains who does not understand that Russia's war against Ukraine is just a beginning.

The ultimate goal of Russian leadership is not simply to seize Ukrainian territory but to dismember Central and Eastern Europe and deliver a blow to democracy globally.

Therefore, the free world has the right to self-defense. And that's why it will help Ukraine even more.

I am grateful to the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Boris Johnson personally for their quick and positive response to our request for trade liberalization. This is especially important now to support our country.

Britain announced the cancellation of all tariffs and quotas on imports of Ukrainian goods. This will allow us to save thousands of jobs in wartime conditions and ensure significant activation of economic relations with Britain.

We expect similar decisions from other partners.

I want to emphasize that this is important not only for our country, not just for each partner country. It adds stability to global markets, especially — the food market which through Russia's war against Ukraine is one step away from a massive price crisis.

We can avoid a crisis only by one way — strengthening cooperation and pressuring Russia to abandon this war.

Today Russian troops continued missile strikes on our land, especially in the Odessa region. Continued attacking our forces near Kharkiv, in Donbas. Attempting to portray some kind of "new authority" in Kherson and parts of Zaporizhzhia oblast. Changing flags, demonstrating some self-mutilators as collaborators.

What does this give Russia? Only new losses. There will be a new sanctions package from the EU. More trade restrictions will follow. Absolutely most countries in the world will refuse Russian oil and other energy resources. No reasonable country would want to cooperate with "Rosatom". Most Russians will have to pay poverty for their state's aggressive policy.

And each — I emphasize this — every war criminal and collaborator we will find, identify and hold accountable. The longer and harsher the war, the more resources will be spent not only by us but also by the world to establish justice and punish all those responsible.

The time will come when even Russia will have to admit that peace is needed.

Visited today in "Oxmatdit" hospital Illia Matviyenko and Kira Obiedinskaya. Kira is 12, and Illa turned 10 today. They lived in Mariupol until the Russian army came. Illa's mother died during shelling of the city. Kira's father, a famous athlete, former captain of Ukraine's water polo team, Yevgen Obiedinsky was shot by a sniper.

Occupants took children out of the city, effectively kidnapped them, and it took great effort to bring them back. I am grateful to everyone who joined this cause. Especially to Irina Vereshchuk and Andriy Yermak who coordinated this mission, our entire team.

Now Illa is with her grandmother, Kira — with her grandfather. With the only remaining family members they have. We will help them all in any way we can. Help raise children.

And we will definitely do everything to return all our Ukrainian children to Ukraine. Let no one in Russia hope that Ukraine will forget or forgive the kidnapping of our children, deportation of our citizens. And destruction of Mariupol.

Also thanked doctors at "Oxmatdit" for their work. For saving lives and trying to restore a sense of peace in children. Thank you very much, dear doctors.

As usual before the evening address, I signed an order on honoring our heroes. State awards were awarded to 243 servicemen of Ukraine's Armed Forces.

Eternal gratitude to all our defenders and defenders-in-waiting!

Eternal memory to everyone who gave their life for Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!"