Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, adressed the nation and concluded that the year since Russia’s invasion had been one of pain, sorrow, faith and unity.
On February 24, millions of us made a decision. A blue and yellow flag, not a white one. Not running away, but facing. Facing the adversary. Struggle and resistance. A year of suffering, grief, faith, and unity. Also, this year will mark our invincibility. We are confident that this year will celebrate our triumph!
Zelensky wrote.
On February 24, millions of us made a choice. Not a white flag, but the blue and yellow one. Not fleeing, but facing. Resisting & fighting.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2023
It was a year of pain, sorrow, faith, and unity. And this year, we remained invincible. We know that 2023 will be the year of our victory! pic.twitter.com/oInWvssjOI
Despite Russian attack helicopters, fighter jets, and tanks descending on Kyiv, Zelensky refused to engage in another Minsk negotiation, demonstrating how the Ukrainian leader was hardening in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threat. This process started months before the invasion and accelerated as the war progressed.
The former comic who became president rejected offers to be taken to safety and emerged as a far fiercer adversary than Moscow had anticipated, as part of a more significant transition that solidified his reputation as a hard-bitten wartime commander worldwide.
Zelensky has evolved, becoming a more challenging, unyielding leader under pressure from war demands. After nearly a year of utter conflict, millions of Ukrainians are tired. Still, his ideas, particularly on how to deal with Russia, have become more adamant with each strike, reflecting a broader hostility toward Moscow that has welled up in Ukrainian society.
Ukraine has surprised the world. Ukraine has inspired the world. Ukraine has united the world. There are thousands of words to prove it, but a few will suffice. HIMARS, Patriot, Abrams, IRIS-T, Challenger, NASAMS, Leopard.
Zelensky
Zelensky’s faction in parliament’s head, David Arakhamia, claimed that the Ukrainian president had become more cynical as a result of Russia’s betrayal as well as after witnessing “how the international community plays games.”
The President expressed hope that 2023 will be the year of victory and ended his address with the words “Glory to Ukraine“
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, addressed the people of Ukraine with words of support and solidarity.
One year of brutal Russian aggression.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 24, 2023
One year of heroic Ukrainian resistance.
One year of European solidarity.
Ahead of us is a future of unity.
⁰You are fighting for freedom, for democracy, and for your place in the European Union.
We are with you, for as long as it takes. pic.twitter.com/nw01k1MFQE
Photo by: (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office)
