NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Ukraine has liberated nearly 1,000 settlements from Russian invaders, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced late Wednesday.
Zelenskyy’s speech focused on the prospect of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and celebrated the visit of European Council President Charles Michel. “This is the historic moment when we can develop maximum speed in joining the European Union,” he said. “We have already proven that the Ukrainian state and public institutions are capable enough to withstand even the test of war.
RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE: LIVE UPDATES
In this regard, the President highlighted Ukraine’s success in restoring communities occupied by Russian forces at the start of the conflict. During the first Russian invasion, Moscow’s forces had taken up positions around the capital, Kyiv, and besieged it for about a month. In recent weeks, however, Russia has refocused its war on eastern and southern Ukraine, particularly the breakaway Donbass region.
Kyiv, UKRAINE – MARCH 11, 2022 – President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pictured during his regular address to the nation, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine. The head of state said we had already reached a strategic turning point and were nearing victory. The extra-size photo was provided by the press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine. (UKRINFORM/Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images | getty)
The Russian withdrawal from the outskirts of Kyiv has shocked the world as Ukrainians and visitors have seen mass graves and scenes of torture and devastation in cities like Bucha. But Zelenskyy praised his country’s ability to restore such communities, saying that this achievement proves Ukraine’s suitability to join the EU.
“The return to normal life of the liberated cities and towns of Ukraine continues,” the President said. “934 settlements have already been liberated. The police resumed their work in 435 settlements. The local self-government started its work in 431 municipalities. The work of the humanitarian headquarters has started in 361 settlements.”
RUSSIA REFUSES A CIVILIAN EVACUATION ARMISTICE DURING EASTER ORTHODOX HOLY WEEK
“We are gradually restoring people’s access to medical, educational and social protection services,” Zelenskyy added. “We are restoring the road infrastructure, electricity, gas and water supply.”
Irina Zubchenko walks her dog Max through the destruction inflicted on Monday after the shelling of a shopping center in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP/Rodrigo Abd)
The President highlighted many remaining threats, such as “mines and tripwire mines laid by the occupiers and shells that failed to explode,” noting that it would take a great deal of time and effort to “neutralize them all.”
“Once again, I urge our citizens returning to liberated communities to be very careful,” he warned. “Do not enter the uninspected area. Don’t go into the forest just yet. If you see anything resembling a mine or tripwire mine, report it to the police and emergency services immediately. Don’t hesitate and don’t try to remove dangerous items yourself.”
The President also celebrated the return of diplomatic teams to Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a joint press conference with the President of the European Council March 3, 2021 in Kyiv. (Photo by SERGEY DOLZHENKO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
“It is important that the EU delegation and embassies of friendly countries resume their work in Kyiv,” he said. “This is one of the signals needed to tell Russia that there is no alternative to peace. There is no alternative to ending the war and ensuring full security for Ukraine. As more diplomatic missions resume work in our capital, this important signal will be stronger.”
Zelenskyy noted that 18 foreign missions are working in the capital again, including missions from Italy, Iran, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, the Holy See, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, France, the Czech Republic, and Estonia.
The President paid tribute to Russia’s current offensive in the east and south, noting that the situation there remains “as serious as possible”.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“The occupiers are not giving up trying to secure at least part of the victory for themselves through a new large-scale offensive,” he said. “At least something to ‘feed’ their propagandists with.”
Russian forces nearly took the strategic city of Mariupol, and a Ukrainian naval commander on Wednesday published a desperate plea for its extraction.