President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered an emotional address to Ukrainians and the world on Ukraine's Independence Day.
He emphasized that Ukraine is "our land, given by God, kissed by the sun, lulled by the winds, forged by fire, and defended by its sons and daughters." The president shared the video message on social media.
"It cannot be confused with anything. It cannot be given away to anyone. Happy Independence Day of Ukraine!" Zelensky stressed.
The president also warned Ukraine's enemies.
"Ukrainians always repay their debts. And those who wished harm upon our land will receive it at home. With interest. Those who want to sow evil on our land will reap its fruits on their own territory. This is not a prophecy, not malice, not blind revenge. This is inevitability," Zelensky said.
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The president called Russia "the world's number one terrorist organization."
"913 days ago, Russia went to war against us. It violated not only sovereign borders but also the limits of cruelty and common sense, endlessly striving for one thing — to destroy us. However, today we celebrate the 33rd Independence Day of Ukraine. And what the enemy brought to our land has now returned to their home. And those who wanted to turn our lands into a buffer zone must think about whether their country will become a buffer federation," Zelensky noted.
According to him, "the enemy will know what Ukrainian retribution is."
"We will not allow our lands, where the blue and yellow flag should rightfully be, to be turned into a gray zone. The sick old man from Red Square, who constantly threatens everyone with the red button, will not dictate his red lines to us. Only Ukraine and Ukrainians will decide how to live, which path to take, and what choices to make. Because that is how independence works," the president emphasized.
He stressed that Ukraine needs peace and tranquility on our lands, along the entire 6,992 kilometers of our border.
"On land, at sea, in the air, inside the country – everywhere, we will stand guard over our values. Just as our warriors do. On all fronts and at the state border, which is symbolized by border posts. And our will and struggle are symbolized by our people – our defenders, our pillars. Those on whose shoulders Ukraine stands. It stands in Kharkiv, Kupiansk, Zaporizhzhia, it stands in Kherson. In Pokrovsk, Toretsk, Chasiv Yar. On the Lyman, Siversk, Kramatorsk, Kurakhiv, Vremivka, Huliaipole, and Orikhiv fronts. This is how independence fights. And to all our warriors, I want to say today: I wish you strength! And thank you, guys! When the need arose to defend Ukraine, you simply said: 'Yes.' Since then, for 913 days straight, you’ve been 'subtracting' the occupiers. Only you know how much effort, sweat, blood, and your incredibly hard work lies behind the dry statistics of enemy losses. Only you know what it really means to hold a position. What it's like to endure a whole day under enemy artillery and aviation fire. What it’s like to stand firm despite the orcs advancing. You have preserved and are preserving our independence," Zelensky emphasized.
The president thanked everyone who helps Ukrainian warriors and the state, everyone who lives and works so that independence can live and work.
"We know what independence looks like. On the morning of February 24, it was in our eyes. Today, independence is in the trenches on all fronts. It is in our cities and villages: in every episode where we find the best in ourselves, find Ukraine within ourselves, and fight for it. Independence today has tired eyes that have seen everything. Independence smiles when Ukrainians succeed. Independence is the silence when we lose our people. Independence is a vow never to forget fallen heroes. Independence has the taste of smoke and dust on the battlefield and in civilian life. Independence descends into a shelter during an alarm, only to rise again and again and tell the enemy: you will achieve nothing. You cannot. You will not win. And you will be held accountable for everything. That’s how we feel freedom. That's what Ukraine looks like. That’s what independence looks like. And this is how it sounds: Happy Independence Day, Ukrainians!"