On the fourth anniversary of the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Ukrainian people. He stated that Ukraine had defended its independence and prevented the destruction of its statehood.
On February 24, Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an address to the Ukrainian people.
“Today marks exactly four years since Putin took Kyiv in three days. And this really says a lot about our resistance, about how Ukraine has been fighting all this time. Behind these words are millions of our people. Behind these words are great courage, very hard work, endurance, and the long road that Ukraine has been traveling since February 24,” he said in his speech.
The president recalled the first days of the war, conversations with world leaders, and the offer of evacuation.
“This office, this small room in the bunker on Bankova Street, is where I had my first conversations with world leaders at the beginning of the war. I spoke with President Biden here and heard him say, ‘Volodymyr, there is a threat, you need to leave Ukraine immediately. We are ready to help you with that.’ And I replied that I needed weapons, not a taxi,” Zelenskyy said.
He noted that Ukraine survived the first day of the war, then weeks and months, won its first spring during the great war, and later moved on to offensive actions. He recalled the liberation of Balakliya, Izyum, Kupiansk, Kherson, as well as the expulsion of the occupiers from the Kyiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv regions.
In his address, the President listed the events and places that have become symbols of pain and loss: Bucha, Irpin, Borodianka, Mariupol, Kramatorsk, Okhmatdyt, and others. He stressed that Ukrainians will not allow Ukraine to be destroyed and emphasized the importance of fighting for life, independence, and the right to live on their land.
Zelenskyy also noted that Ukraine has strengthened its defense capabilities, acquired modern air defense systems and F-16 fighter jets, developed its own weapons production, and gained the ability to shoot down hundreds of drones per night.
The president thanked international partners in Europe, the US, Canada, Japan, and Australia for their support and stressed the need for a strong and just peace. He stated that during the negotiations, the Ukrainian side is guided by the principle of not devaluing the years of struggle and ensuring real security guarantees.
After 1,462 days of full-scale war and 12 years since the start of Russian aggression, Ukraine has preserved its independence and statehood, its cities are still standing, and Russia has not achieved its goals.
“Ukraine exists, and not only on the map. Ukraine is a subject of international relations. Our capital is there, as are Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kramatorsk, Odesa, Lviv, and other cities. Putin has not achieved his goals. He has not broken the Ukrainians. He has not won this war. We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to achieve peace. And to ensure justice,” the president concluded.