Key statements from Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Independence Day address
Key statements from President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Independence Day address
Ukrainians have preserved the independence of their state, and we will definitely defend Ukraine’s independence. There is no doubt about this. Ukraine will always be independent.
Those whose heads are still in the 20th century and previous centuries, and who long for the times when a few figures could divide half the world among themselves, may simply not understand what our confidence is based on. It is only their problem that they are isolated from reality.
Ukrainians will not be paving stones under the feet of tsars and leaders. Ukrainians will not be bargaining chips in disputes between capitals. Ukrainians will not submit to what they do not believe in, and they certainly will not abandon their dream of living independently.
Ukrainians all understand that much more than the future of Ukraine and Eastern Europe is at stake in this war: there is always a risk somewhere nearby that an attempt will be made to pacify this war at the cost of Ukrainian independence and the lives of the Ukrainian people. We are countering this risk not alone.
Ukrainians believe that we will definitely manage to achieve a worthy peace together with our friends and partners.
No nation in such a war would have enough of its own weapons alone. No people should be left without the support of the world when such atrocities are being committed against them.
Ukraine is grateful to everyone in the world, everyone in Europe, everyone who shares in their heart our dream of a free and dignified human life. Today, these very friends of Ukraine are with us.
