Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a speech late in the evening on 23rd, most of which he devoted to the citizens of Russia.
In his address, the president said that he had initiated a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But the Russian side ignored it.
"Today initiated a telephone conversation with the president of the Russian Federation. The result is silence. Although silence should be in Donbas," said Zelensky.
He also mentioned the sanctions that Western countries have agreed against Russia because of the entry of Russian troops in the Donbas.
"And further on the Russian. Today I initiated a telephone conversation with the president of the Russian Federation. The result is silence. Although there should be silence in Donbass. So today I want to address all citizens of Russia . Not as president. I'm addressing Russian citizens as a citizen of Ukraine. We are separated from you by more than two thousand kilometers of common border. Along it today stand your troops: almost 200,000 soldiers, thousands of combat vehicles. Your leadership has taken them one step forward into the territory of another country. And this step can be the beginning of a big war on the European continent," said President Zelensky.
He recalled that the whole world is talking today about the beginning of a war that can happen every day.
"The cause can arise at any moment. Any provocation. Any outbreak. Any flash that could burn everything down. You are told that this flame will bring liberation to the people of Ukraine. But the Ukrainian people are free. They remember their past and build their future. Building, not destroying, as they tell you every day on TV. Ukraine in your news and Ukraine in real life are two completely different countries. And their main difference is that ours is real," the Ukrainian leader added.
President Zelensky told Russian citizens that their news often reminds them that Ukrainians are Nazis and that in Ukraine itself they hate Russian culture .
"But can a people who gave more than eight million lives to defeat Nazism support Nazism? How can I be a Nazi? Tell that to my grandfather. He fought all through the war in the infantry of the Russian army. And died a colonel in Independent Ukraine. They tell you we hate Russian culture. How can you hate culture? Any culture? Neighbors always enrich each other culturally. However, this makes them one. Don't dissolve us from you. We are different. But this is no reason to be enemies," the president added.
He stated that Ukraine wants to determine and build its own history: peacefully, calmly, honestly.
The president of Ukraine recalled that the Russians are told that the Ukrainian leadership will order the offensive in the Donbas to shoot and bomb without question.
"Although there are questions, and very simple: shoot at whom? Bomb what? Donetsk, where I have been dozens of times? Seen the face, the eyes? Artema, where I used to walk with friends. Donbass Arena, where I cheered with the locals for our Ukrainian Euro guys? Shcherbakov Park, where we drank together when our guys lost. Lugansk? The house where my best friend's mother lives? The place where my best friend's father is buried? Notice - I speak Russian now, but no one in Russia understands what I mean. These streets, names, events - it's all foreign to you. They are unfamiliar. What will you fight for? And with whom?", - said the Ukrainian president.
Volodymyr Zelensky said that many Russians have been to Ukraine and many of them have relatives here.
"Someone studied at Ukrainian universities. Made friends with Ukrainians. You know our character. You know our principles. You know what we value. So, try to listen to yourself. To the voice of reason. Common sense. Hear us. The people of Ukraine want peace. The authorities of Ukraine want peace. It wants it and does it. It is doing everything it can," he said.
He recalled that Ukraine today is supported in this by many countries.
"Why? Because it's not about peace at any price. It is about peace and principles. About justice. About international law. About the right of self-determination. The right to determine our own future. The right of every society to security and the right of every person to live without threats. It's all important to us. It's all important to the world. I know for sure it is important for you too," the Ukrainian head of state said.
He said that Ukraine does not need a war - neither cold, nor hot, nor hybrid, but if Ukrainian territories are attacked or if Ukrainians try to take away their country, freedom, life or the lives of our children, Ukraine will defend itself.
"When you attack, you will see our faces. Not our backs, but our faces. War is a great misfortune, and that misfortune has a great price. In every sense. People lose money, reputation, standard of living. They lose their freedom. But most importantly - people lose their loved ones. They lose themselves," said Volodymyr Zelensky.
The president of Ukraine added that everything is always in short supply in war, but what is in short supply is pain, filth, blood, and death. Thousands and tens of thousands of deaths.
"You are told that Ukraine may threaten Russia. That hasn't happened in the past, doesn't exist now and won't happen in the future. You need security guarantees from NATO. And we demand guarantees of our security - from you, Russia and the other guarantors of the Budapest Memorandum," President Zelensky said.
He added that today Ukraine is outside any defense alliances, and the security of the country is linked to the security of Ukrainian neighbors.
"Therefore, today we need to talk about the security of all of Europe. But our main goal is peace in Ukraine and the security of our citizens. To this end, we are ready to talk about this with everyone, in particular with you. In different formats and on any platforms "x, - stressed Volodmyr Zelensky.
The President added that the war would deprive everyone of guarantees, and no one would have security guarantees anymore. When only people are the ones who will get more suffering from it, are those who can prevent it and do not want it.
"Are there people among you? I'm sure," Voodymyr Zelensky said.
He listed that there are public figures, journalists, musicians, actors, athletes, scientists, doctors, bloggers, stand-up comedians, ticktockers and many others among Russians.
"Men. Women. Older people. Children. Parents. And most importantly - Mothers! Just like the people in Ukraine! And just like the authorities in Ukraine, no matter how much they try to convince you otherwise," the president said.
He expressed confidence that his appeal would not be shown on Russian television.
"But the citizens of Russia must see it. They must know the truth. The truth is that we must stop. Before it's too late. And if the Russian leadership does not want to sit down at the table with us for the sake of peace, perhaps they will sit down at the table with you? Do the Russians want war? I would very much like to answer this question. But the answer depends only on you, citizens of the Russian Federation," the president said.
