Heroic People of Ukraine!

The national liberation war against Russia's occupier has been going on for 8 days now. The enemy's blitzkrieg failed.

No major regional cities have ever surrendered without a fight.

No one is giving a hospitable welcome to the invaders.

Ukraine is turning to total resistance. In cities, towns and villages, people are blocking columns of armour and vehicles, attacking supply trucks, and capturing Russian soldiers.

The information wave produced by Ukrainians has proliferated worldwide. And the whole world is on our side.

We can feel the support not just in words.

Thousands of volunteers from all over the world come to Ukraine to fight on the side of freedom.

We have already received tons of modern weapons from our partners.

The UN General Assembly unequivocally acknowledged that Russia had committed aggression against Ukraine and demanded that Russia ceases fire.

The world is helping us financially. Today, the Memorandum on EUR 1.2 billion macro-financial assistance from the European Union was signed. An agreement on the establishment of a multi-donor fund with the participation in particular of the World Bank to the tune of USD 1.8 billion will be signed in the coming hours. 

Ukraine has also appealed to the international organizations, in particular the IAEA to immediately call on NATO to close access to the airspace over our nuclear facilities. Close the sky over Ukraine! Now it's a matter of security for the whole world! Not only for Ukraine!!!

We also appeal to the UN and the Red Cross.

After the strikes on civilians, the whole world has seen that Russian troops are terrorists who are killing civilians and do not let anyone help the victims. In some cities, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are trapped by the enemy and have been living without electricity, heat, water, food, and medical care for days now. The invaders do not give safe routes for evacuation. Ukraine demands for the sake of people's lives and health to provide the ‘green corridors’ for us to provide assistance and evacuate everyone who either wishes or needs that!

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Despite the full-scale aggression by Russia, the entire life-supporting infrastructure of the state is working sustainably.

And so is the Government.

Despite the war, the Government, the Ministry of Social Policy, and the Pension Fund accrued all pensions with 14% adjustment in favour of all Ukrainians. Pensions have been accrued to 13 million people, and the funds have already been transferred to banks. Payments have already been started on schedule, and, for some categories, payments have been made even sooner.

Also, pursuant to the President's instruction, the Government has developed an assistance program for all Ukrainians who have lost their employment. Every employee, every self-employed person, every citizen of Ukraine who has lost his or her job due to the war and hostilities will unconditionally receive UAH 6’500 each during March. We will announce shortly how this money can be obtained.

Following the Government decision, the Ukrainian Railways have started procuring fuel, medications, electricity and other important goods and services. The company will maintain close contact with the civil-military administrations to promptly cover the urgent needs of the people and the state.

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Most importantly, the truth is on our side, and we will never give up! Therefore, already now, in follow-up of the instruction of the President of Ukraine, the Government is now establishing 4 major funds. The financial resources from these funds will be spent to rebuild Ukraine.

First – This will be the Destroyed Property and Infrastructure Restoration Fund. We will rebuild everything that has been destroyed by the Russian occupationists – every house, every apartment, every school, every kindergarden and hospital! Every bridge, and road!

Second – Economic Recovery and Transformation Fund. We will ask our partners to accept the so-called ‘Marshall Plan for Ukraine’. We need not just to rebuild the economy, but we will build a new European country.

Third – Debt Management and Redemption Fund. Today, despite the war, Ukraine continuously fulfils all its commitments. On March 1, our Ministry of Finance made a coupon payment of USD 292 million on Eurobonds. But we believe that the world must help and support Ukraine given the heavy burden on us today.

And fourth – Affected Business Support Fund. We all see how many entrepreneurs and companies help our military, doctors, and ordinary Ukrainians today. We are all united for a common goal – to chase off the enemy from our land. And we understand that our task is to help entrepreneurs return to normal business, normal life.

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We are here, we are on our land, and no one will be able to take away our European future! We will rebuilt everything!

Glory to the Ukrainian Army! Glory to the Ukrainian People! Glory to Ukraine!