President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about the prospects for rebuilding our state and recent diplomatic actions.

"I wish health to all dear Ukrainians!

Today was a long and very important day of our foreign policy activity.

The conference in Lugano, Switzerland, dedicated to the reconstruction of Ukraine, has opened. I want to immediately note that when talking about reconstruction, accents are often incorrectly placed. This is not just about what we need to do after our victory or in the coming years, but also about what needs to be done right now.

Ukrainian forces have liberated over a thousand occupied settlements, adding new ones every week. For example, today it's happening in southern parts of our country. All of them suffered massive destruction. This also means the need for enormous funds to restore infrastructure, healthcare and social services, and normal economic life. There are tens of thousands of destroyed buildings alone in the liberated areas.

We also need to prepare schools and universities for a new academic year across all free territory under new conditions, including constant threats such as missile strikes... We must already be preparing for winter and do everything so that we can get through this winter calmly from an energy perspective — despite any threats Russia creates daily.

A significant part of the economy has been destroyed by military operations and Russian attacks, thousands of businesses are not operating. This means a high need for jobs and social benefits despite reduced tax revenues.

Therefore, reconstruction of Ukraine is not just about what needs to be done after our victory but also about what we must do now. And we have to do this together with our partners, the entire democratic world. We must act now.

Today in Kyiv, Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson visited. The main topics were defense support (we are receiving a new strengthened package — thank you), as well as new sanctions against Russia and new opportunities for Ukraine, including waste processing issues.

In our country, this issue has been neglected for a long time, but it's not just about what to do with the trash. It’s about security and quality of life. We need at least 25 new and technologically advanced waste processing plants. They can provide energy, secondary raw materials, and finally, solutions to old landfills and waste disposal problems that many communities struggle to solve.

And if anyone thinks this is not urgent, I want to say that the reconstruction of our state is not just about restoring walls that were there and destroyed by shelling. Ukraine must become the freest, most modern, and safest country in Europe — in every sense of the word, including environmental conditions. I am confident we will achieve it.

Today is July 4th — Independence Day for the United States. And I want to congratulate President Biden, the American people, and all our friends in the United States.

I would like to quote something. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness," — this is stated in the Declaration of Independence of the United States. And agree that Ukrainians have repeatedly demonstrated similar principles throughout our history. Just look at Ukrainian Maidans or our determination to defend freedom.

Once again, congratulations on Independence Day. Thank you for your help!

Today I also congratulated the Ukrainian police on Police Day and awarded honors. The quality of their work is the basis of law and order.

Of course, much more needs to be done so that the Ukrainian police fully meet modern requirements. But remember about the heroes-police who fight at the front lines. Those who help with evacuations. Who assist victims of shelling. Who deliver humanitarian aid. And who protect all of us from crime.

The situation on the frontline has not seen significant changes over the past day. The enemy continues to terrorize border areas of Sumy region, city of Kharkiv and regions of the area, Donbas. Ukrainian armed forces respond, pressuring them daily and destroying the offensive potential of occupiers. We need to break them. This is a difficult task that requires time and superhuman efforts. But we have no alternative — this is about our independence, our future, the fate of all Ukrainians.

Thank you to everyone who defends our country!

Glory to Ukraine!"