【Zelenskyy delivers tough speech on Ukraine's Independence Day: "Putin is already a dying man"] This year's August 24 marks Ukraine's 35th Independence Day, and the fifth independence day since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war. On that day, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy delivered a video address, bluntly stating that Putin had severely underestimated Ukraine—a true fighting nation. He recklessly launched a large-scale war against Ukraine without foreseeing that Ukrainians would stand united, support each other, and fight back with unwavering resolve in times of crisis.
Zelenskyy said:
"Putin is trapped in the past. He still views Ukraine through outdated lenses—believing Ukraine would remain silent, endure humiliation, and be at others' mercy. But that Ukraine no longer exists—nowhere except in his own 'reporting materials.' Our country has changed dramatically. We are no longer bystanders but active participants; no longer victims but fearless warriors."
He emphasized that Ukraine would not allow Russia to regain the initiative, nor would it let Russia deceive Europe and the world into believing that "if we hand over Donbas, everything will soon be over."
"We no longer entertain illusions. Ukraine has changed. We will not surrender what rightfully belongs to us."
Zelenskyy also stated that, in his view, Russia does not seek peace but aims to sustain mobilization through war.
"Putin hopes we grow tired of war. But we know he is already a dying man. He never truly understood us. Now, his time is running out."
Zelenskyy addressed Moscow directly: "You once sought to seize all of Ukraine, every inch of our land. Yet simultaneously, you lost your refineries, your navy, your economic revenues, and an entire generation of young people thrown into your war machine."
The biggest diplomatic highlight of this year’s Ukrainian Independence Day was the visit by multiple European leaders and senior officials to Kyiv.
Among them, the most closely watched was the UK’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. This marks his first official overseas visit since taking office—and he specifically chose to visit Kyiv on Ukraine’s Independence Day. European Council President António Costa and other European leaders also arrived in Kyiv to commemorate the occasion alongside Zelenskyy.
Politically speaking, this goes far beyond a routine “holiday visit.” In a sense, European leaders are demonstrating their firm stance in support of Ukraine by choosing to spend Ukraine’s Independence Day in Kyiv. Ukraine makes headlines | Discussing hot topics #
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874394620789836/
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