Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered an online speech at the Japanese Diet on the 23rd.
The full text is below.
* Based on documents released by the Presidential Office of Ukraine *
Chairman, Prime Minister, Diet members, Japanese citizens.
As President of Ukraine, I am honored to be able to speak at the Japanese Diet for the first time in history.
The capitals of both countries are 8193 kilometers apart, and it takes 15 hours by plane, but on February 24, I realized that there was no distance between the desire for freedom, the desire to live, and the desire to value peace. ..
There is no distance of even a millimeter between the two countries, and there is no difference in our feelings.
Japan immediately reached out to help.
I am sincerely grateful.
When Russia began to destroy peace across Ukraine, it realized that the world was against war and wanted freedom, world security and harmonious development in all societies.
Japan is an Asian leader who plays this role.
Japan immediately started to move for the peace of Ukraine to stop this cruel war initiated by Russia.
This is important for Europe and for everyone on the planet.
Because without peace in Ukraine, people all over the world cannot be confident in the future.
You know Chernobyl.
A nuclear power plant in Ukraine, where a major explosion occurred in 1986.
Radioactive material was released, affecting various parts of the globe.
Even now, access to the area 30 km around the nuclear power plant is prohibited, and many contaminated materials and debris remain buried in the soil.
Russian armored vehicles passed over it on February 24th.
And it rolled up the dust of radioactive material.
The Chernobyl nuclear power plant was occupied by force.
Imagine a nuclear power plant in a catastrophe.
The destroyed reactor is covered and there is a radioactive waste storage facility.
Russia has also made this facility the stage of war.
And Russia is preparing to launch a new attack on us using this closed area within 30 kilometers.
It will take years after their withdrawal to investigate the damage done by Russian troops to the Chernobyl plant.
Which storage facility for radioactive waste was damaged and how much radioactive dust spread.
everyone!
Ukraine has four operating nuclear power plants, for a total of 15 nuclear reactors.
Everything is under threat.
Russian troops have already attacked Europe's largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhia.
The battle has also damaged hundreds of factories, and the bombing poses threats to gas and oil pipelines and coal mines.
Russian troops recently attacked a chemical plant in Sumy Oblast, spilling ammonia.
We have been warned that attacks using chemical weapons, especially sarin, could occur as in Syria.
And a major issue for politicians around the world to discuss is how to deal with Russia's use of nuclear weapons.
Any country can be completely destroyed.
The Ukrainian army has already bravely defended its homeland for 28 days.
Russia, the world's largest country, has been invading for 28 days, but its capacity and influence are not so great and it is the worst in terms of morals.
It has launched more than 1000 missiles into peaceful places in Ukraine and has dropped countless bombs.
Russian troops have destroyed dozens of our towns and some have been completely burned down.
In many towns and villages occupied by Russian troops, people cannot bury their deceased family, friends, or neighbors with dignity.
There is no choice but to bury it anywhere possible, such as in the garden of a broken house or on the side of a road.
Thousands have been killed, 121 of whom are children.
Approximately 9 million Ukrainians have fled the Russian army and have been displaced from their homes and familiar lands.
Many people have escaped the danger of life, leaving people in the north, east and south of Ukraine.
Russia is blocking even our trade route, the sea.
It shows other potential invaders in the world that blocking the sea can threaten a free nation.
everyone!
Ukraine and its partner countries, and our anti-war solidarity, do not disrupt world security, but guarantee national freedom, people, social diversity, and the foundation for border security. ..
It is to protect the peace of us, our children and our grandchildren.
I think you've witnessed that an international organization didn't work.
Even the United Nations and the Security Council ...
What can we do?
To work, reform and integrity are needed to truly make decisions and influence, not just discussions.
Russia's attack on Ukraine has destabilized the world and put it in many new crises.
No one can even predict tomorrow.
Destabilization of the world market is a big problem for countries importing resources.
Environmental and food crises are more serious than ever.
And most importantly, let all the invaders on the planet know that starting a war or destroying the world will result in great punishment and discourage them.
It is perfectly logical and correct for responsible nations to come together to protect peace.
I am grateful that Japan has taken a moral position and truly supported Ukraine during this historic period.
For the first time in Asia, Japan has put pressure on Russia to restore peace and has imposed sanctions on Russia.
Please continue this.
Work with other Asian countries to stabilize the situation as Russia pursues peace and stops the tsunami of brutal aggression on Ukraine.
It is necessary to ban imports and exports with Russia and withdraw companies from the Russian market to prevent the flow of funds to the military.
We need to help our country and our soldiers against the Russian army even more.
We need to start thinking about the reconstruction of Ukraine so that people can return to the cities destroyed by the Russian attack.
As you all know, people have to return to their hometowns where they were accustomed to living in their childhood hometowns.
We must build a new security system so that we can act strongly and proactively whenever peace is threatened.
Is it possible to build on the existing security system?
If you look at this war, you can never do it.
We need new tools and new security schemes that function and help prevent any aggression.
Japan's leadership is indispensable for its development.
This is a request from me for Ukraine and for the world.
Let the world once again have a peaceful and stable tomorrow and be confident in the future of the next generation.
Japanese people!
When we work together, we can do more than we can imagine.
I know your wonderful history of development.
How to create and protect harmony.
Do you value your life according to the norms?
Can you protect the environment?
These are rooted in your culture, which Ukrainians also love.
This is true.
As just one example, in 2019, six months after I became president, my wife Olena took part in a project to create an audiobook for a visually impaired child.
It was a Japanese fairy tale that she infused the voice in Ukrainian at this time.
It was something that we and our children could sympathize with.
Although both countries are far apart, we have similar values.
I have the same warm heart, so I don't really feel the distance between the two countries.
Peace will be brought about by the cooperation of the two countries and further pressure on Russia.
And we will be able to revive our country and realize the reform of international organizations.
And at that time, I am convinced that Japan is forming an anti-war solidarity with us as it is now.
It's a very important time for all of us.
thank you.
Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to Japan!