No empire could wipe out Ukraine, and Russia won't succeed - Zelenskyy
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukraine has outlived everyone who wanted to destroy it, and it will withstand Russia as well, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the oath-taking ceremony of lyceum students and the presentation of state awards on the occasion of the Defenders Day.
“Every attempt, every one, to subjugate Ukraine ended only with Ukraine being reborn. All attempts to erase Ukraine and Ukrainians ended with hostile empires crumbling,” he said.
Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine has survived not only individual aggressors but also everyone who tried to destroy the nation.
“Ukraine will withstand now as well against this Russia, without a doubt it will. We will definitely defend our state,” the president emphasized.
He added that Ukrainians are now defending themselves “at the longest range, the most effectively,” and the main goal is to ensure freedom for future generations.
“So that our children, all our children, all future generations are guaranteed to be free from war, from terror, from strikes, from any threats,” the head of state said.
The president also emphasized that Ukraine will not lose its acquired strength and the support of its partners.
“Indeed, global support, which Ukraine so lacked in the past, and Ukraine will always need precisely such people as you, our defenders,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine Defenders Day
On Wednesday, October 1, Ukraine marks the Day of Defenders of Ukraine and the Day of the Cossacks.
Defenders Day is a state holiday established on October 14, 2014, by a presidential decree as the Day of the Defender of Ukraine.
On July 14, 2021, the Verkhovna Rada renamed it the Day of Defenders of Ukraine. Previously, the holiday was marked on October 14, but in 2023, the date was moved to October 1 due to church calendar reform.
The need for such a state holiday became especially evident after Russia’s occupation of Crimea and the start of hostilities in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The courage and bravery of Ukrainian soldiers, the hundreds of lives given for the Motherland, require worthy honor.
On the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, a nationwide moment of silence will be held to honor the fallen, as well as a joint prayer for Ukraine and the fallen heroes.
