Zelensky says Russian forces are 'tired' and 'demoralized' as he speaks about the future of Ukraine beyond 'victory' in war

• Ukraine's president said Russian forces attacking his country were "tired" and "demoralized."
• He said his country would take "victory" in the war with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that Russian troops attacking his country were "tired" and "demoralized" as he offered an optimistic outlook for his country, saying it would take "victory" in the war.

"We never wanted this war, but it was brought to us," Zelensky said in a speech posted on his Facebook page. "We never dreamed of killing, but we have to knock out the enemy — from our land and from our lives."

He added: "We have to endure what no other European nation has seen in 80 years. And it is on our land that it is decided whether someone else in Europe will fall victim to the same aggression."

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his country's invasion of Ukraine in the early hours of February 24, and Zelensky said that in recent days, "the enemy is tired, demoralized."

"They came to our land to look for something that has never been here: cowardice, consent to slavery," Zelensky said.

The comedian turned wartime leader said Ukraine would take "victory" in the war.

"The government of Ukraine is already working on how to restore our state after the victory," he said.

He said a special economic tax-break package had already been created to aid Ukrainian businesses and employees amid the war.

"We and terror are different universes. That is why there is no blood on our flag," Zelensky said.

"There are no and will never be black spots on it," he said. "There are no and will never be any swastikas on it. The Ukrainian flag is the land: peaceful, fertile, golden, and without tanks. This is the sky: peaceful, clear, blue, and without missiles. So it was. And so it will be."

Meanwhile, Zelensky called on the West to implement new and harsher sanctions against Russia "if the invasion continues and Russia does not abandon its plans against Ukraine."

He called for a boycott of Russian exports, including oil and petroleum products.

"When someone loses their mind, we have to lose fear and forget about commerce. We need to defend ourselves," he said.

Zelensky also repeated his call for a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

"How many more deaths and losses are needed to secure the sky over Ukraine?" he asked, adding: "We are waiting for a decision."