On July 8, a Russian missile struck Kyiv. A direct hit.
The Kh-101 cruise missile.
It was designed to hit significant military targets. Putin hit a children's hospital with it.
“Okhmatdyt.”
One of hundreds of Ukrainian hospitals that have been, unfortunately, destroyed by Russian missiles, bombs, artillery.
From “Okhmatdyt,” the world saw thousands of photos and videos. Of what happened. And how Ukrainians united.
They saw how Ukraine is being targeted for destruction. And how, despite everything, Ukraine withstands the attacks.
How it unites the world to protect life. And how the world is inspired by what Ukraine achieves.
Here, as in thousands of similar places, Ukraine has shown itself to be the nation we are all proud of.
The nation we fight for.
Which is pure in heart and strongest when we all care for each other and when we see each other as our own.
And when we all are not afraid to defend Ukraine.
This is the Ukraine that has been preserving itself through the centuries – no matter what happens.
And no matter what invaders come to our land, Ukraine always finds the strength not only to endure but also to preserve within itself what separates us from evil.
Dear Ukrainians!
We are fighting against a terrible enemy. One that cannot be called human. And one that is infinitely far from true Christianity.
Its essence is ruins. The death it brings. And which we must overcome.
Ukraine cannot agree to anything less than to live. Anything less than to preserve itself. Anything less than to remain human.
Ukraine will not succumb to the evil that sheds blood for its own sick self-assertion. That despises truth, both human and divine, and devalues everyone except itself.
Russia builds its statehood precisely on this.
But we are different.
The history of Ukrainians on this land goes back more than a thousand years.
And no matter what strangers came here, no matter who did everything to prevent Ukraine from being itself, they did not break our people and the spirit of this land. They did not break what makes us Ukraine.
I want to thank everyone who came to “Okhmatdyt” after this strike. And everyone who rescues people after each similar crime by Russia.
To all who helped clear the rubble. Who acted to save children. And to everyone who empathized. Who told the world what was happening.
And I thank everyone in the world who did not stay silent and who seeks solutions to support our defense of life. Who helps our air defense, who supports our soldiers with weapons, who ensures pressure on Russia for all its evil.
And who does so every time it is necessary to prove that life is stronger than its enemy.
Ukrainians!
I thank you for being true to yourselves, to our goal, to our state.
To our values, which will undoubtedly endure, as they are already rooted in centuries.
They have their roots in Kyivan Rus, continuation in the Cossack state, and their living force today – the force of Ukraine, which is doing the greatest and most important things in its history.
This is Ukraine, which not only defends itself but also unites many others in the defense of life.
Which is proud of its people, and whose heroism is honored by the world.
This is Ukraine, whose flag – our cherished blue and yellow colors – is welcome wherever courage is truly valued. And our trident – our majestic emblem inherited from ancient princes – is seen on chevrons, T-shirts, and even as tattoos.
These are the symbols by which we recognize our fellow Ukrainians anywhere. And these are the emotions that unite us when we hear the sound of Ukraine.
And these are our achievements, which were not given by anyone, but brought by all of us for Ukraine.
All this is our country.
Today, on the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, on the Day of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus’-Ukraine, we remember the path that Ukraine has overcome, and we are fully focused on the battle that Ukraine must win.
This battle is for our independence. So that this independence can be inherited by future generations. Inherited, not fought for. So that we can give them pride in Ukraine, not its pain.
And so that no more "Putins" dare to bring ruins and suffering here.
We are already separated from this enemy by our spirit.
And we must do everything to ensure that our national border with them becomes a true boundary between our world, which is inseparable from the global world, and those who seek to destroy us.
We must defeat this evil, and Ukraine will do it.
There will always be Ukraine here. Our history. Our people. Our state.
Congratulations on the Day of Ukrainian Statehood! And I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine!
Glory to our people! Glory to Ukraine!