During the night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released another videotaped message, in which he expressed moderate optimism about the talks being held with Russia, as broadcast by the BBC.
Zelensky argued that Russia was beginning to realize that victory would not come on the battlefield.
“They have already begun to understand that they will not achieve anything with the war,” he said.
Zelensky also addressed the Russian soldiers directly, saying: “If you surrender to our forces, we will treat you as you should treat people.”
Zelensky’s statements in detail:
The 19th day of our resistance is over. Historical war. Another difficult day.
As before, the enemy is confused. They did not expect such resistance. They believed in their propaganda, which has been lying to us for decades. They have already begun to understand that they will not achieve anything with the war.
Their soldiers know this. Their officers know this. They leave the battlefield. They abandon the equipment.
We take the trophies and use them to protect Ukraine. Today, Russian troops are, in fact, one of the suppliers of our army equipment. They could not imagine such a thing in a nightmare.
And I want to tell the Russian soldiers. Those who have already entered our country. And who are just about to be sent to fight against us.
Russian soldiers! Listen to me very carefully. Russian officers! You already understand everything. You will not get anything from Ukraine. You will get lives. There are many of you. But you will also lose your own lives!
But why do you have to die? For what reason; I know you want to live. We hear your conversations in eavesdropping, we hear what you really think about this absurd war, about this disgrace and about your state. Your conversations with each other. Your phone calls to your family. We hear it all. We draw conclusions. We know who you are.
Therefore, I offer you a choice. On behalf of the Ukrainian people, I give you a chance. The chance to survive. If you surrender to our forces, we will treat you as we should treat people. As human beings, with dignity. In a way that your army did not treat you. And in the way that your army does not behave in ours. Choose!
Our brave defenders continue to inflict catastrophic losses on Russian troops.
Soon the number of damaged Russian helicopters will reach hundreds of units. 80 warplanes have already been lost. Hundreds of tanks and thousands of other pieces of equipment have also been destroyed.
In 19 days, the Russian army has lost more in Ukraine than in two bloody and multi-year wars in Chechnya. For what reason;
I am grateful to those Russians who do not stop trying to convey the truth. To those who fight misinformation and tell the truth, the real facts to their friends and loved ones. And personally to the woman who entered the studio of the first channel (s.s. Russian government channel) with a banner against the war. To those who are not afraid to protest. As long as your country is not completely excluded from the world, turning into a very large North Korea, you have to fight. You must not miss your chance.
The European Union has approved the fourth package of sanctions against Russia. The fourth – and I’m sure it will not be the last.
We are cooperating with our partners for new restrictions that will be applied against the Russian state. All those responsible for the war. All those responsible for the destruction of democracy. All those responsible for the repression against the people. Everyone will get an answer. The answer of the people. And that’s just the beginning.
Responsibility for the Russian army’s war crimes is inevitable. Responsibility for a deliberate humanitarian catastrophe in Ukrainian cities is inevitable. Everyone sees what is happening in Mariupol. In Kharkov, Chernihiv, Sumy, Gostomel, Irpin. In all our cities.
All our partners are informed about the crimes of the invaders against the citizens and the local self-government in the areas of Hersonissos and Zaporizhia. In the temporarily occupied areas. There will be an answer to this. Necessarily. For humanitarian corridors. Necessarily.
During the day of March 14, 3,806 Ukrainians were evacuated from the cities and regions of Kiev and Lugansk.
Our 100-tonne convoy with the necessary goods for Mariupol still remains in Berdyansk. For three days now. But we will try. We will do everything to ensure that the residents of Mariupol will receive food, water and medicine.
In discussions with friends and partners of our state, I provided full information on the actions of the invaders on Ukrainian soil. Every aggressive action of the invaders pushes the world only to new sanctions.
I spoke with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. With the President of Poland Andrei Duda. With the Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel. We have 100% mutual understanding.
The discussion with the Prime Minister of Israel Bennett was also important. As part of a negotiating effort to end this war as soon as possible. With a just peace.
Our delegation also worked on this issue in the negotiations with the Russian side. Pretty good, as I was told. But we will see. They will continue tomorrow (today).
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine agreed on a package of decisions to support our economy.
First, we start tax reform. Instead of VAT and income tax we offer a rate of 2% on turnover. For small businesses we define the voluntary payment of a single tax. That is, if you can, pay. If you can not, no questions asked.
Second, we cancel all inspections for all businesses. So that everyone works normally. So that the cities come to life. So that life goes on where there are no hostilities.
The only condition is to ensure the normal operation of your business under Ukrainian law.
These are just the first two steps in our tax reform. There will be more.
And finally.
I have just signed a decree awarding 234 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who have shown personal courage and heroism in our struggle. For our independence. 59 of them posthumously.
May the memory of all those who gave their lives for our state live forever!
Eternal gratitude to all our heroes!
Source: Capital
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