President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about his disappointment with statements by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and the situation on the front lines, particularly in Donetsk.

"I wish health to all dear Ukrainians!

Today we begin a marathon of honesty aimed at cleansing the leadership of international Olympic structures from hypocrisy and any attempts to bring representatives of the state-terrorist country into world sports.

It is impossible not to be disappointed with the statements made by the current President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach. I have spoken with him on multiple occasions. And yet, I still haven't heard how he plans to protect sport from war propaganda if he brings back Russian athletes into international competitions.

There is no neutrality in such a war. We know how often tyrannies try to use sports for their ideological interests. It's clear that any neutral flag of Russian athletes would be stained with blood.

I don't want to speculate on what exactly motivated Mr. Bach to pursue this initiative. But we will do everything to ensure the world protects sport from political and any other influence of a state-terrorist, which is inevitable if Russian athletes participate in competitions. And especially — at the Paris Olympics.

Ukrainian athletes are forced to defend the lives of their loved ones and the freedom of our people from Russian aggression. Russian strikes have taken the lives of hundreds of Ukrainians who could enrich world sports with their talent.

Russia must stop its aggression and terror, and only then can we talk about Russia's participation in the context of the Olympic movement. The principles of Olympism and war are fundamentally opposed to each other.

The situation on the front lines, particularly around Bakhmut and Vuhledar in Donetsk, remains extremely acute. Occupiers do not just storm our positions — they deliberately and methodically destroy these cities and villages around them with artillery, aviation, and rockets. The Russian army does not lack means of destruction. And it can only be stopped by force.

Our soldiers who hold the defense on the Donetsk frontlines are true heroes. I thank each one of you for your bravery!

And, by the way, I invite Mr. Bach to Bakhmut so that he can see with his own eyes that neutrality does not exist.

Today I spoke with students, teachers and graduates of the College of Europe in Natolin and Bruges. This is a special educational institution preparing professionals for work in European structures and with European structures. Exactly such professionals are needed by us, especially for full integration of our country into the European Union.

Ukrainians are already studying under programs of the College of Europe. And we have already started creating a college in Ukraine. This underscores our desire to fully and as quickly as possible integrate with the EU. I am also convinced that this will give Ukrainians an opportunity to help defend freedom and European values ​​in our region and throughout Europe.

I heard from the rector of the college in Natolin that right now, in free Europe — it is Ukrainian faces. And such words mean a lot.

We will always do everything to increase our potential in relations with the EU, especially human capital potential. That's why we need our own Ukrainian College of Europe. And it will be.

Today we have important news from Belgium — a country where key structures of the European Union are located. The Belgian government has made a decision on a support package for our defense. This will strengthen PPO, increase mobility of our troops in battle. I thank you for this support. I thank all countries and all leaders who with their decisions this week showed that Russian aggression is suffering defeats.

And one more thing.

This morning in Kyiv, near Menorah at Babyn Yar, a ceremony was held to honor the memory of all victims of the Holocaust. Today — International Day of Commemoration in Memory of Victims of the Holocaust. And even in such times, during full-scale war, Ukraine together with the entire civilized world feels and shares the pain that still remains in the world from Nazi crimes.

We remember. Therefore, we oppose attempts to return evil.

I thank everyone who defends humanity alongside Ukraine!

I thank all our soldiers!

Glory to Ukraine!"