Good evening, 31 years ago today Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union and six

months ago today Russian forces invaded.

Now had their war plans succeeded we would now be approaching the six month anniversary

of Russia's takeover of Ukraine.

Instead, for many reasons, first and foremost, the remarkable bravery and resiliency of

the Ukrainian people, Ukraine is still independent and has fought Russian invaders to a standstill.

At the cost, which is almost unimaginable, or was until February 24th, six months ago,

the invasion changed so much for Ukraine, for Europe, for superpower relations and the

NATO alliance.

For people living worlds away from the fighting and the dying, Vladimir Putin would prefer

that we pay less attention to it all tonight instead because of just how important it is

that's where we begin the broadcast, reminding you again, showing you again the moments

of savage brutality in the moments of hope over the past six months.

We are all here, our military are here, citizens and society are here.

We are all here defending our independence, our state, and it will remain so.

Glory to our defenders, glory to our women, our defenders, glory to Ukraine.

That of course is President Vladimir Zelensky, just hours into the invasion, not fleeing

the country or evacuating to Laviv or Eastern Poland as many expected and some had emerged,

standing firm as perhaps too few allies and adversaries alike expected.

Today, the former actor and comedian spoke to the UN Security Council over the objections

of the Russian delegation which tried to demand he appear in person.

He began his remarks by reporting that a Russian strike on a train station in Eastern Ukraine

...