Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a video address to fellow citizens on Wednesday evening urged "not to panic" about possible Russian aggression and assured that the authorities are doing everything to achieve peace through diplomacy, the Official Internet Representative Office of the President of Ukraine reports.
The head of state stressed that he is aware of all possible threats, and Ukraine understands what possible actions may be in response.
"Ukraine does not want war, but Ukraine should always be ready for it. It is not afraid, because it defends its land. Will not surrender because it is our land, there is nowhere to run. Ukraine is constantly strengthening its defense capabilities. We have a strong, brave army ready for anything, and this is not news... We count, first of all, only on ourselves, not because we have no support, but because we have honor and pride. That's why we have partners. And the level of their support and the international coalition is higher than ever. And that's not news. We're ready for anything, but we're doing everything we can to make sure we don't need to. We do everything, for a diplomatic solution, we do everything to achieve peace in Ukraine", - said Zelensky in a video message.
According to Zelensky, the rhetoric of the pressurization in the information space about the allegedly possible war with Russia is associated with the imposition of a sense of anxiety and weakening of the country to the Ukrainians.
"Has the threat of a large-scale war appeared only now? These dangers have been there for more than a day. And they haven't gotten bigger. More has become the hype around them. And now they are actively attacking not our land, but your nerves. So that you have a constant sense of anxiety. And also the emotions of investors and conjuncture for business. To weaken Ukraine to force concessions, to create such a background so that our 'no' sounds weaker," said the President.
Zelensky stressed that now "the only reason to panic is if, after eight years of war, Ukrainians still succumb to this panic."
"All our citizens, especially the elderly, need to understand this. Exhale. Calm down. Not run for buckwheat and matches ... Keep calm, a cool head, confidence in their forces, in their armies, in our Ukraine. Don't get yourselves worked up, react to everything wisely, not emotionally! With your head, not with your heart," he said.
The head of state also called on the media "to be mass media, not mass hysteria".
"In the pursuit of hype, do not help the enemy. To report every day that there can be a war tomorrow... That certainly will not stop it," said Zelensky.
In addition, he wished all partners of Ukraine to be effective not only in words, naming specific sanctions and measures that the world is ready to take to counteract the aggression of Russia.
