President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the people and our partners around the world, emphasizing the need to recognize Russia's material responsibility for the crimes it has committed.

"Ukrainians!

All of our defenders, our defenderesses!

But also our partners around the world. Today my address is broader than usual. And this address is dedicated to a subject that we will work on together in the near future. Namely — compensation for all those losses that Russia's aggression has inflicted upon Ukraine.

Look, please, at how today's day unfolded. A missile strike by the Russian army on Kharkiv region. In the city of Lysychansk, the occupiers destroyed a cultural building.

Of course, Russia has already done everything possible to leave no place for culture on its territory. But what does this have to do with our Kharkiv region? Let them blow up whatever remains of their cultural buildings if they so desire.

The occupiers also struck at Odesa region, Poltava region, and Zhytomyr region. They continue attempts to advance in the Donbas. They have reduced Rubizhne, Volnovakha, Mariupol to ashes. They are trying to do the same with Severodonetsk and many other cities.

They are doing everything they can to erase any normal life from Kherson region, in those areas of Zaporizhzhia oblast that they have occupied.

All this and much more that the Russian army has done since February 24th and since 2014 requires a just response.

First, this is liberation. We must fight until we cleanse our land of occupiers and guarantee Ukraine's security.

Second, this is holding all Russian war criminals accountable. In Ukrainian courts, in an international tribunal, and simply on the battlefield while the war continues.

But third, we are also working to ensure that Russia somehow compensates for everything it has destroyed in Ukraine. Every burned house. Every ruined school, every ruined hospital. Every blown-up cultural building and infrastructure object. Every destroyed enterprise. Every halted business, every lost hryvnia — by people, businesses, communities, and the state.

Russian money as compensation must reach each person, family, business that has suffered.

Of course, the Russian state does not even acknowledge itself as an aggressor. But its acknowledgment is not needed.

We propose to partner states in a legal way to recognize that Russia must bear material responsibility for the crimes it has committed. This is important not only in the context of this war, initiated by Russia. But also in the context of any other aggressive actions or potential aggressor, whether Russia or another one. Evil must receive its due and know that it will be punished.

Therefore, we propose to partner states to sign a multilateral agreement and create a mechanism whereby everyone who has suffered from Russian actions can receive compensation for all losses.

Based on such an agreement, Russian funds and assets located in the jurisdictions of partner states should be seized or frozen and then confiscated and directed into a specially created fund from which those who have suffered from Russian aggression will be able to receive appropriate compensation.

This would be justly fair. And Russia would feel the true weight of every rocket, bomb, shell that it has fired at us.

We propose our partners become founders of such a fund and also participants in a special international commission that will consider claims, i.e., appeals from both individuals and legal entities.

It is clear that implementing this task will not be simple. But discussions about the need for such compensation through Russian assets have already begun.

The world is already talking about it. So we must do it. And we are starting a special dialogue with our partners on this matter. So that an aggressor feels that war can inflict maximum losses not to someone else but precisely to the one who went into war with its neighbor.

The world has seen that existing international organizations and instruments cannot cope with all challenges. Therefore, it is necessary not just to use the possibilities that already exist but also to propose new ones. This will be effective.

Today I spoke about Russia's responsibility for this war with representatives of Ireland who visited Ukraine. The heads of both houses of the Irish parliament were in the capital. We had very substantive talks with them.

And one more thing. Today, I want to thank our people who do not stop fighting against occupation. And especially those who are now on territory temporarily under Russian control and its army. Particularly, rescuers in Enerhodar who came out today for a protest deserve support from all of us. Thank you.

Everyone must show that occupiers have no right to decide anything on our land. This is an important component of our victory.

I signed another decree today awarding our defenders. 202 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were awarded state awards.

Overall, since the full-scale war began, more than 14 thousand of our defenders and defenderesses have been honored for bravery and effectiveness in defending the country and helping our people.

Eternal glory to all who stood up to defend the state!

Eternal memory to each one who gave their life for Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!

Finally. Today marks three years since I became President of Ukraine. Thank you for your trust. I am proud that I am the president. 

I love you!

You can count on me! 

Glory to Ukraine!"