Zelensky addressed his country on the second morning of the Russian invasion: 'The fate of Ukraine depends only on Ukrainians'

• Zelensky said Ukraine was alone to defend itself and rallied Ukrainians to fight against the enemy.

• He also appealed to Russian protesters to continue opposing their country's invasion of Ukraine.

• Even as he struck a tone of defiance, he stressed the need for dialogue with Russia.

In a Friday-morning speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rallied his compatriots to strengthen their resolve in fighting against Russian forces invading their country, while making an appeal to Russians to continue protesting against the attack.

"Stop the enemy wherever you see it," he told Ukrainians. "The fate of Ukraine depends only on Ukrainians. No one but ourselves will control our lives. We are on our land. The truth is on our side. It will not be possible to destroy our character."

Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a full-scale attack on Ukraine early on Thursday morning. In the hours that followed Putin's speech, explosions were seen and heard in cities around Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have reported fighting on its borders with Russia and dozens of casualties. The US and the EU have pledged to impose sanctions on Russia in response.

Zelensky said on Friday that these actions didn't deter Russia. He added that it was up to Ukrainians themselves to defend their country.

"This morning we are defending our state alone, as we did yesterday," he said. "The world's most powerful forces are watching from afar."

Zelensky on Thursday mandated a general military mobilization across the country. Ukraine has also barred male citizens ages 18 to 60 from leaving the country, CNN reported.

His Friday speech came just hours after missiles were launched on Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. In his address, Zelensky compared Friday's bombardment to when Nazi Germany attacked Kyiv in 1941.

"Tonight they started bombing residential areas of the hero city of Kyiv. It all reminds me of 1941," he said.

Even as Zelensky appealed to Ukrainians to fight enemy forces, he also stressed the need for dialogue.

"Russia will still have to talk to us sooner or later. Talk about how to end the fighting and stop this invasion. The sooner the conversation begins, the smaller Russia's losses will be," he said.

Russia's invasion sparked massive protests back home, as thousands gathered across cities to chant and hold signs to object to Russia's offensive in Ukraine. The Russian government has warned that protesters may be arrested, with one report indicating that hundreds of protesters across multiple Russian cities had already been detained.

Zelensky on Friday appealed to Russian protesters to continue voicing their opposition. "To all the citizens of the Russian Federation who come out to protest, I want to say — we see you," he said.

He added: "This means that you heard us. This means that you begin to trust us. Fight for us. Fight against the war."

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