President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about a significant milestone halfway through Russia's full-scale invasion and the need to resist any enemy provocations.

"I wish you good health, dear Ukrainians!

We are actively preparing for the next week, which is very important for all of us and our country. Ahead lies Flag Day, Independence Day. Ahead lies honoring veterans who fought for Ukraine's freedom. Ahead lies the Crimea Platform, this year truly special. This year literally in the air over Crimea one can feel that the occupation there is temporary, while Ukraine is returning.

We must honor our legends—this will be and remains a Ukrainian tradition. We must honor those whose lives have become part of our national history, which no enemy can ever erase—no matter who.

The upcoming week, as always, will see important talks and visits from true friends of Ukraine…

Ahead lies a significant milestone—a half-year since the full-scale invasion. A war that changed everything for Ukraine, Europe, and the world. Of course, there will be time to talk about this in detail later on. But let us today reflect, look back, appreciate how far we have come. How much has been changed—things people around the world once thought impossible to change. How much was taken from Russia's army, which for decades was considered invincible.

I recall those first days of full-scale invasion, what various 'advisors' told me back then… I know that many feel ashamed today for words they spoke at the time.

Since February 24, in these already 178 days, Ukrainians have proven that our people are invincible, and so are our defenders. And I thank everyone who has shown their strength during this period, those fighting for Ukraine, those helping our soldiers and our country.

Our unity and belief in ourselves allowed us to reach this half-year mark and approach the upcoming week, always important for every Ukrainian.

We have always spoken and continue to speak honestly: to win for Ukraine, we still need to fight, do a lot more, withstand and endure much pain.

But Ukrainians can now rightfully feel proud of themselves, their country, and its heroes. And let us all today feel this pride together—feel the strength in our people, in these wonderful individuals.

This strength has always been and will be there—as long as we believe in ourselves, maintain our unity, fight for Ukraine, and work towards our shared Ukrainian victory.

We must be aware that this week Russia may try to do something particularly despicable, something especially cruel. Such is our enemy. But every other week over these half-years, Russia has done the same constantly—despicable and cruel.

One of the key tasks for the enemy is to belittle us Ukrainians, undervalue our potential, our heroes, spread distrust, fear… Therefore, it's crucial never, not a moment, to yield to this enemy pressure, not to provoke ourselves, not to show weakness.

We all must be strong enough to resist any enemy provocations—however much is needed—to make the occupiers answer for every blow and terror. For Kharkiv and Donbas, for Azovstal and Mykolaiv, for filtration camps, Bucha, Irpin, for every city… We all must be strong enough to withstand and walk the entire path to Ukrainian victory.

So hold together! Help each other! Restore what was destroyed! Fight for all our people. And cheer on those representing Ukraine today—especially Usyk, our boy!

Believe in yourselves! Believe in Ukraine!

Honor to each and every one of you!

Glory to Ukraine!"