As is the norm, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given his new year address where he emphasized the strength and resilience of Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Zelenskyy highlighted the diverse experiences of millions of Ukrainians in 2023 but underscored a common thread of increased strength for the nation.
His address reflected a narrative of national unity and strength in the face of adversity, suggesting that the Ukrainian people have become more resilient as a result of the ongoing conflict.
Delivering his address, Zelenskyy asserted that Ukraine had become stronger even as the war moves toward its second year.
He said that when one asks millions of Ukrainians about 2023, one will “get millions of different answers.”
“But everyone will find something common to all Ukrainians in this year. The major result of the year, its main achievement: Ukraine has become stronger. Ukrainians have become stronger,” he added.
The President mentioned that the war has been a significant teacher for Ukrainians, imparting lessons on withstanding Russian attacks, adapting to hardships such as blackouts, and addressing challenges in various sectors, including industry and exports.
“The war taught us a lot. It showed us a lot. It did a lot to us, changed us,” he noted.
“When, at the beginning of 2023, in January and February, we surmounted, without exaggeration, the most difficult winter in history. When we proved that Ukrainians are tougher than cold and darkness.
“Stronger than power outages and blackout threats. Ukrainians will cope with any energy shortage as they have no shortage of resilience and courage. We did not fade away in the darkness. The darkness did not engulf us. We defeated the darkness.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
In the face of an ongoing conflict with Russia, Zelenskyy’s words echo a spirit of determination and unity.
Zelenskyy’s acknowledgment of the lessons learned during the war underscores the transformative nature of adversity. Ukrainians have not merely endured; they have adapted, learned, and evolved.
The ability to withstand Russian attacks, navigate through blackouts, and address challenges in critical sectors like industry and exports speaks volumes about the resilience ingrained in the Ukrainian spirit.
Also in his address, Zelenskyy lauded the Security and Defense Forces as well as the entire Ukrainian populace.
He made mention of the EU’s decision to open negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the bloc.
“Ukrainians are stronger than any blockades and vetoes, disbelief or skepticism,” he said, adding that the process will definitely “have a logical conclusion – full-fledged membership in strong Europe. A powerful one. From Lisbon to Luhansk.”
Furthermore, Zelenskyy thanked every country that has joined the coalition to return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, adding, “And I thank all our partners for the fact that this year we already have Patriots, IRIS-T, HIMARS, NASAMS, Hawk, Abrams, Leopards and many more.”
He disclosed that Ukrainian pilots are already mastering F-16 jets, and “we will definitely see them in our skies. So that our enemies can certainly see what our real wrath is”.
Zelenskyy pointed to Ukrainian successes in containing and attacking Russia’s navy in the Black Sea, confirmed “by their large landing ships, missile-armed and patrol corvettes on the bottom of the sea.”
“No matter how many missiles the enemy fires, no matter how many shellings and attacks – vile, ruthless, massive – the enemy carries out in an attempt to break Ukrainians, intimidate them, knock Ukraine down, drive them underground, we will still rise. Because the one who brings hell to our land will one day see it from his own window.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Putin Makes No Mention Of Ukraine In New Year Speech
On the Russian side, President Vladimir Putin did not mention the war in Ukraine during his New Year’s Eve address, which was noticeably scaled back compared to last year’s.
The pre-recorded address was in sharp contrast to last year, when he stood behind grim-looking soldiers to make a stern call for sacrifice in what he cast as a fight for survival.
This time, he had the more traditional backdrop of the Kremlin walls.
It was also significantly shorter than the New Year’s speech he gave last year.
“To everyone who is at a combat post, at the forefront of the fight for truth and justice: You are our heroes, our hearts are with you. We are proud of you, we admire your courage,” Putin said.
Ukraine was not mentioned by name, nor the “special military operation”, Putin’s term for the war he unleashed in February 2022.
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