Zelensky: Ukrainians will never give up their independence

‘After five months of Russian aggression, Ukraine will continue to do all it can to inflict as much damage as possible on our enemies,’ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his regular video address late July 24. He mentioned that Ukraine will celebrate its National Day for the first time on July 28.

It is understood that Ukraine will be on August 24 every year as the National Day, commemorating Ukraine on August 24, 1991 through the declaration of independence. Zelensky signed an order in May last year designating July 28 as Ukraine’s National Day. Zelensky explained at the time that the founding year of Kiev was the beginning of the Ukrainian state, and that the festival would be celebrated on July 28, the “Baptism of Rus,” to highlight Ukraine’s long history.

“An important and symbolic week begins tomorrow,” Zelensky said in a speech Sunday night. This week, we celebrate Ukraine’s National Day for the first time on July 28. It was the first time it was celebrated during such a brutal period of war — in the sixth month of the war. After eight years of war in Donbas. But we will celebrate, no matter what. Because the Ukrainians cannot be defeated. Ukraine National Day will proclaim the links between Ukrainians living now and us for many generations. The Ukrainian founding experience, our culture, our identity, the Ukrainian character is more than a thousand years old.”

“Now, in many of the exploits of our fighters, in the wisdom of our people in battle, even just in the conversation of ordinary Ukrainians about what is happening, we can see, we can hear and understand examples of the same characters from hundreds of years ago,” Zelensky said. We can see the same examples of bravery, the same attitude towards life and, above all, towards Ukraine and the enemy. Only those who do not know the truth and do not feel the significance of history can decide to attack us. After all our people have come through, after all we have learned over the centuries. Ukrainians will never give up their independence. Nor will they break from the inside, as they have done before, not once. Not this time!”

“Preserving unity and working together for victory is now the most important national task that we all must accomplish,” Zelensky said. As a result, we will be able to do things that previous generations could not do. This applies to our defence in this war of independence, to our ability to move towards a united Europe, towards full membership of the European Union, and to become one of the most modern countries in the world. No one doubts that now. Only those people are arguing about how to achieve it. It will happen. It’s a sign of confidence in Ukraine — not just in ourselves.”

“I thank everyone who has defended our country,” Zelensky said. I wish all of us, all Ukrainians, a very productive week ahead. I wish all of us, all Ukrainians, a very productive week ahead. Glory to Ukraine!”