Vladimir Zelensky: Ukrainians Are Smart And Wise Nation

The full text of the President's address to the nation.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has recorded a video address to the Ukrainians.

The President of Ukraine's speech was preceded by a meeting of the National Security and Defence Council.

He said that the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine will continue to stay so despite the actions and statements of the Russian Federation.

The Charter97.org website quotes the full text of the Ukrainian president's address.

"Great people of a great country!

We and our state have no time for long lectures on history. Therefore, I will not talk about the past. I will speak about the realities and the future. Behind me is Ukraine. Within its internationally recognized borders. And they will stay so. Despite everything. Despite any statements and actions by the Russian Federation. Just as we will stay calm and confident. I want to thank all of you, our citizens, for that. You are proving one more time: Ukrainians are a smart and wise nation. And despite everything, they keep a cool head, react calmly, deliberately, maturely. We have been ready for everything for a long time.

But there is no reason for your sleepless night.

Tonight we have held a meeting of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.

Ukraine unequivocally qualifies the recent actions of the Russian Federation as a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our State. All responsibility for the consequences of the mentioned decisions rests with Russia's political leadership.

Recognizing the independence of the occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions could mean Russia's unilateral withdrawal from the Minsk agreements and ignoring the "Normandy" decisions. This undermines peace efforts and destroys existing negotiation formats.

With today's and tomorrow's possible decisions, Russia is legalising its troops, which have actually been in the occupied areas of Donbas since 2014.

The country, which has been supporting the war for eight years, cannot support peace as it claims.

I have discussed the situation with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor [Olaf] Scholz, US President [Joe] Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and have also spoken to European Council President Charles Michel. And I plan to talk to Turkish President Recep Erdogan.

What will happen next? We want peace and we are consistent in our actions. Today the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has sent a request to the UN Security Council member states based on the Budapest Memorandum demanding immediate consultations. I have initiated the convening of a meeting of the UN Security Council and a special meeting of the OSCE. We insist on the full work of the OSCE SMM to prevent provocations and subsequent escalation. An emergency summit of the Normandy Four has also been initiated.

We expect clear and effective steps of support from our partners. It is very important to see now who our real friend and partner is and who is going to continue to intimidate the Russian Federation with words.

We are committed to a political and diplomatic settlement and do not yield to any provocations.

Our borders are well protected, a system of territorial defence has been established.

Our partners support us. Under Article 51 of the UN Charter Ukraine reserves the right to individual and collective self-defence.

We distinguish well between provocations and offensive of the aggressor's troops.

The truth is with us. And we will never hide the truth from you.

As soon as we see a change in the situation, as soon as we see an increase in risks, you will know all this. There is no reason to act chaotically now. We will do everything we can to keep it that way. We are committed to the path of peace and diplomacy. And we will follow it and only it.

We are on our own land. We are not afraid of anything or anybody. We do not owe anybody anything. And we will not give away anything to anybody. We are sure of this. Because this is not February 2014, but February 2022. Another country. A different army. One goal - peace. Peace in Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!"