Thread by @zoyashef

Another new Zelenskyy video update just now. Quite extraordinarily, in it he appeals for Russian officials and propagandists to quit their jobs. Here's translation. He starts in Ukrainian, says the occupiers have had little success today. 1/21

Notes Russian losses, including a general. Talks about attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas. Says Russian artillery has killed another two journalists in Ukraine: Ukrainian Oleksandra Kuvshynova and representative of America’s Fox News Pierre Zakrzewski. Another badly injured 2/

(3) Switches to Russian: “Citizens of Russia. Any one of you who has access to truthful information would by now have realized how this war will end for your country. Shame, poverty, long-term isolation, a very cruel, repressive system that will treat citizens of Russia exactly

the same way, as inhumanely, as you, the occupiers, have treated Ukrainians. What happens next depends on your actions," Zelenskyy says. (4)

"I want to tell it to you straight, to all the functionaries of the Russian Federation, all those who are close to those who are now in power. If you remain in your posts, if you don’t come out against the war, the international community will strip you of everything." 5/

"Everything you have earned over these last long years. They’re already working on it. A similar fate awaits those working in the propaganda ecosystem, the fourth branch of the governance of Russia." 6/

"If you continue working on propaganda, you’re submitting yourself to a much higher risk than if you just leave. Just quit. You risk sanctions and an international tribunal for propagandising in favor of an aggressive war. For justifying war crimes." 7/

"Quit," Zelenskyy says to Russian officials and propagandists. "A few months of unemployment is definitely better for you, than a whole life of international persecution." 8/

Zelenskyy switches to Ukrainian. “In Kyiv today arrived the prime ministers of three countries, three partners, three friends - friends - of Ukraine, the leaders of Poland, Czech Republic and Slovenia." 9/

Zelenskyy specifically name-checks Jarosław Kaczyński, the leader of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party and broadly known to be the de-facto ruler of Poland, who was also a member of the delegation (they arrived by train). Zelenskyy refers to Kaczyński as the vice-premier 10/

Zelenskyy says, of the delegation: "I was glad to meet in person, glad to talk live in our capital ... This is significant support, it is bold to come and meet with us here … That is leadership.” 11/

Zelenskyy then adds: "I invite all friends of Ukraine to visit Kyiv. It can be dangerous here, as it is not yet closed from Russian missiles and aircraft. The decision to strengthen our arsenal in the air has not yet been made. We have not received aircraft." 12/

[That was Zelenskyy pointedly referring to the back and forth by the EU, US and Poland over sending fighter jets to Ukraine. You can read more about it here: politico.com/news/2022/03/1…] 13/

Zelenskyy continues: "But you know that the eyes of all people in the world are on Ukraine.” Adds: “Everyone who is with us has a chance to become a real hero.” 14/

(15) Says he spoke in Canadian parliament, thanks Canada for support. But says Ukraine needs help “not with words but with actions, with weapons and new sanctions against the Russian Federation,

as well as an active moral stance in relation to all international businesses that remain in Russia. That sponsor the war. That sponsor terrorism.” (16)

Mentions his speech to Congress. Zelenskyy says: “I want to thank President Biden and all the friends of Ukraine in the United States for the new sanctions package” and for the support bill which will send billions to Ukraine. 17/

Says Ukraine’s parliament met today to approve economic reforms such as tax breaks to save Ukrainian jobs and allow businesses to continue operating, and an extension of martial law, which “is necessary to effectively defend our state.” 18/

Zelenskyy adds that the overwhelming support for his measures in Ukraine's parliament “destroys one of the main myths of the occupiers, that the Ukrainian government allegedly does not represent the will of the Ukrainian people.” 19/

Says Ukraine will continue trying to unblock the humanitarian convoy that is trying to reach Mariupol. “We will not give up trying to save our people,” he says. Talks about Ukrainian forces who have been recognized in latest round of medals and awards. Ends. 20/21

You can watch here (though for now no English subtitles): t.me/V_Zelenskiy_of… 21/21

Ah, now here's the video with English subtitles: t.me/V_Zelenskiy_of…