Ukraine marks its Independence Day exactly six months after the start of the war. In an emotional video, President Zelenskyy ruled out compromises towards Russia and stressed: “We will fight to the end.”
On Independence Day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his goal of taking back all areas of the country in the war against Russia.
“For us, Ukraine is all of Ukraine,” said Zelenskyy in a video message distributed on Wednesday. This also includes the Donbass, the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea annexed by Russia and all regions under Russian occupation. “We will fight to the end,” said Zelenskyj in the emotional clip with war scenes.
The 44-year-old completely ruled out concessions and compromises towards the Russian attackers. In his speech, which is usually in Ukrainian, Selenskyj briefly switched to Russian – and described Russian soldiers as “murderers, rapists and looters”. In the meantime, the Ukrainians can even understand the words of the English-speaking British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, he said. The war united Ukraine. It was “a new nation that arose at 4 a.m. on February 24”.
The head of state was photographed for the video on Independence Square and Khreshchatyk Avenue in Kyiv, where destroyed Russian tanks and other military equipment can be seen. The Russian troops had come to celebrate a military parade, said Zelenskyj in front of the war trophies. Instead, his country defends itself against the invaders. He paid tribute to all who fought for Ukraine’s independence.
Presidential couple participate in “Prayer for Ukraine”.
Zelenskyy and his wife Olena took part in a “Prayer for Ukraine” in Kyiv with representatives of all faiths. The Ukrainian people are wished strength in the difficult trials and the speedy establishment of peace, the President’s office said in a statement.
Pictures showed the couple together with the heads of the Orthodox Churches and other representatives of Christian, Muslim and Jewish denominations in the 11th century St. Sophia Cathedral in the center of the capital. Before his election in 2019, Zelenskyj had said that he himself did not belong to any particular denomination, but that he was in dialogue with God. The 44-year-old has Jewish roots.
Klitschko: “We will win!”
Kiev’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko also congratulated the people with a video message. No one previously imagined celebrating this day under wartime conditions. But the country is fighting bravely and will not give up, he said. “We will overcome everything, no matter how difficult it is. We will win!”
31 years ago, on August 24, 1991, the then Soviet Republic of Ukraine declared its independence after the failed coup by conservative forces against Secretary General Mikhail Gorbachev. Six months ago, his successor in the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, ordered an attack on the neighboring country in order to bring it back under Russian control.
Source: Stern
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
