‘We must hold on’: Zelenskyy appeals to Ukrainians; Johnson says Putin’s ‘barbaric actions testing all of humanity’ | Ukraine latest

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has delivered another speech tonight, on what he describes as “the 18th day of our war for life, for Ukraine, for independence”.

He spoke about the attack near the Polish border, saying: “Nothing was happening there that could threaten the territory of the Russian Federation.

“Last year, I made a clear warning to NATO leaders that if there were no tough preventive sanctions against Russia, it would start a war. We were right.

“I have been saying for a long time that Nord Stream is a weapon that will hit Europe. Now it’s obvious.

“And now I repeat again – if you do not close our sky, it is only a matter of time before Russian missiles fall on your territory. NATO territory. On the homes of citizens of NATO countries.”

He spoke about the death of American journalist Brent Renaud, describing it as a “deliberate attack by the Russian military”.

He spoke about an earlier visit to a Ukrainian hospital, where injured soldiers are being looked after, saying: “By the way, the Russian military from Ryazan is being treated in the same hospital.

“He is in the same ward with our defenders, gets the same aid from the same doctors. Despite what this guy was doing. Against us, against Ukraine. But Ukrainian doctors saved him. And this is obvious. Because they are people. Not savages. And we have to go through this war so that we all remain human.”

He said: “I met an extraordinary person there at the checkpoint who supports our defenders every day and brings them a pot of borscht every day. Really delicious! Truly Ukrainian. Wholeheartedly.

“And I know that our state has been based on such people for centuries. It is thanks to such people that we will survive any dark days. Because we are together, and we always protect our own people. And our own property. NOT for money. Without coercion. NOT like those who came to us. Just because we are Ukrainians.”

Mr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine feels the support of other countries, naming Bulgaria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Poland, and Britain.

Regarding efforts to arrange a meeting between him and Russian president Vladimir Putin, he said this is “a hard path, but this path is needed”.

He said some humanitarian corridors had been successful during the day, with the notable exception of Mariupol, which was disrupted by Russian troops.

“But we will try again until we can help our people,” he said. “Because they are ours. Our Mariupol. Heroic Mariupol. Ukrainians!”

He concluded: “We are going through the worst ordeal in our history. In our lives.

“We protect the most precious thing we have. We must hold on. We must fight. And we will win. I know that. I believe in that.”