"Free people of an independent country": Zelenskyy congratulates Ukrainians on Independence Day

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, published a greeting on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine today, August 24.

"Free people of an independent country, we meet this day in different places: someone in trenches and dugouts, in tanks and BMPs, on the sea and in the air. They are fighting for independence on the front lines. Someone is on the road, in cars, trucks and trains fighting for independence, delivering what is necessary to those on the front lines. And someone is on a smartphone or at a computer, and also fights for independence, collecting funds so that those on the road have something to carry to those on the frontline. We meet this day in different circumstances, conditions and even in different time zones, but with the sole goal of preserving the independence and victory of Ukraine," he said.

The president also noted that the plans of the Russian occupier to seize Kyiv in a few days failed, because Ukrainians will fight for their land to the end.

"The enemy thought: we would be greeted with flowers and champagne. Instead, he received wreaths and Molotov cocktails. He was waiting for an ovation, but he heard "cotton noises". The occupier believed that in a few days there would be a parade in the center of our capital. Today, you can see this "parade" on Khreschatyk. Proof that enemy equipment can appear in the center of Kyiv only in this form. Burnt, destroyed and destroyed... It doesn't matter to us what kind of army you have, what matters to us is what kind of land we have. We will fight for it to the end," noted Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy said that Ukrainians will not seek a common language with terrorists and murderers.

"It is difficult for us, but we have clenched our fists and are biting our fate. Every new day is a new reason not to give up. Because, having gone through so much, we have no right not to reach the end. What is the end of the war for us? We used to say: the world. Now we say: victory... Ukrainians will not seek understanding with terrorists. Although we understand the Russian language, which you came to defend. And thousands of people were killed, whom they came to liberate," Zelenskyy said.

The president also noted that Ukraine is integral, and there will be no compromises regarding its territories.

"We will raise our hands up only once - when we celebrate our victory. All over Ukraine. Because we do not trade our lands and our people. For us, Ukraine is all of Ukraine. All 25 regions, without concessions or compromises," Zelenskyy said.  

All territories occupied by Russia will be returned, and the occupiers must leave Ukrainian land.

"Donbas is Ukraine. And we will return it, no matter what the path will be. Crimea is Ukraine. And we will return it, no matter what the path will be. Don't you want your soldiers to die? Free our lands. Don't you want your mothers to cry? Free our lands. These are our simple and clear terms," ​​the president remarked.