President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Italians and all Europeans in connection with the military aggression of the Russian Federation.
So, he asked everyone who watches his appeal to remember the number 79 – that is how many children the Russian aggressors killed in an attempt to seize Ukraine with the help of war.
– What should we do. We all – the Ukrainian people, you Europeans – so that this number 79 does not change, does not grow. And so that Europe does not forget Ukraine-79. Russian troops besiege Ukrainian cities. They are trying to destroy them. Imagine it! Whole cities! In 2022! In Europe, the President stressed.
Zelensky told Europeans about Mariupol, the largest Ukrainian city on the coast of the Sea of Azov, which is under complete blockade.
“They are shelling him around the clock. Russian troops drop aerial bombs on him, hit with rockets. They even bombed a maternity hospital and a children's hospital in Mariupol.
It is hatred for all living things. They kill children and destroy maternity hospitals, children's hospitals. What for? So that Ukrainian women do not even give birth? And this is all over our state, all over Ukraine, suffering from the Russian invasion,” he said.
The President listed that the military of the Russian Federation has already destroyed dozens of hospitals, hundreds of schools, kindergartens, universities and entire residential areas are being destroyed by carpet bombing.
– Imagine what it is! And how to survive in it? What does this mean for Ukrainians, for our families, for our children?.. What does it mean when you cannot find peace even in church. For aircraft even bomb churches! Even the squares… The same squares as yours… Where are you listening to and seeing me now. How they bombed the square in our city of Kharkov – Freedom Square. This is the largest square in Europe, no different from your squares. Besides, it's destroyed. Destroyed by a Russian missile strike, the President of Ukraine stressed.
He said that in interviews he is constantly asked how Europe can help Ukraine, but it is worth thinking about how Europe can help itself.
– Because this is a war not only against our people, not only against Ukrainians. This is a war against the values that unite us. Against our ability to live. Live, not kill, like the Russian military on our soil. Do you feel why we are different? We are living. And they kill. We are 79 lives. And they are 79 deaths ,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy summed up.
He expressed confidence that the Europeans want to stop the war just like every Ukrainian, and therefore urged them to increase sanctions pressure on Russia so that every soldier knows the price of every shot at civilians.
– Put pressure on companies in your countries so that they leave Russia, so that you are not indirectly sponsoring this war and tragedy. Tell your politicians to close the skies over Ukraine from Russian missiles and planes. From those who killed 79 children and thousands of adults! Thousands in 17 days… It will protect us. The same as you. Absolutely the same! You know that. You feel it. You see me and you understand it all,” Zelensky said.
He also expressed confidence that Ukrainians should be in the European community, in the European Union, as this will protect Europe and help stop the war.
“This will prove that the 79 lives lost in the war for freedom are not wasted. That they are alive. Live among us. And among other children of Ukraine and Europe, who will be able to be free, will be able to dream, will be able to live as they want. In the world. And do not be afraid that they can be killed. And do not look for the nearest shelter from air bombs. No matter how you are looking for – each of the hundred thousand in the squares of European cities that are listening to me now. And like the millions who, I'm sure, will hear. They will hear about Ukraine-79. About Ukraine-2022. About Ukraine, which strives for peace. And about Europe, which is time to choose. Choose Ukraine. For the sake of the world! For all of us. Glory to Ukraine! the president said.
