President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the headquarters of the Joint Forces Operation, where he congratulated all soldiers on the Day of the Defender of Ukraine during his working visit to Donetsk. Addressing the servicemen, the President noted that today's holiday was truly a great day for Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the headquarters of the Joint Forces Operation, where he congratulated all soldiers on the Day of the Defender of Ukraine during his working visit to Donetsk. Addressing the servicemen, the President noted that today's holiday was truly a great day for Ukraine.
"A day of brave, fearless and invincible warriors, men and women from all over our independent Ukraine, real national heroes who daily defend our Motherland, defend its independence and sovereignty," he said in his speech.
The President mentioned that Ukrainians mistakenly had felt safe before the beginning of the war in Donbas in 2014. "A phenomenon like war seemed to us something out of distance. Something from books and movies. An ancient memory of our grandparents' stories. At this time, the State either a little or did not concern for its own army. We heard the news about armed conflicts in the world, but we were sure it would never touch us, " the President said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed regret that our State had paid for the loss of lives of thousands of people and control of part of the territory for the awareness of the magnitude of the disaster from this short-term attitude.
"Annexed Crimea and the beginning of the war in Donbas. The tapes of horrible news with the number of victims, shelling, seized settlements. It was all really shock therapy, as if two thousand volts passed through the body of our native country," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President stressed that such events were historic and decisive for any country.
"Such moments are moments of truth. When the whole people have only two ways. The first is to surrender and disappear from the face of the earth forever. Or be born again. Against the odds. Alight on feet, shake off the dust, smile and say, "That ain't gonna happen!" We have chosen this way, " the Head of State said.
He noted that Ukrainians became stronger now after several years of war.
"Today we are much stronger. The young boys and girls who went to defend Motherland yesterday without bulletproof vests and in sneakers, today are mature, hardened and skilled warriors who keep guard over the national security of Ukraine. Our Constitution says that Ukraine is an independent, sovereign, unitary and democratic State. And if someone who does not agree with this opinion that one will deal with our defenders," the President stressed.
"Today I do not want to say too much. Because, in fact, the only thing the President and every Ukrainian has to say today is just thank you! For your courage and valor. For character, for spirit, for will, for endurance. For quiet sleep in Ukrainian cities and villages, " the Head of State added.
