When Hypotheticals become Reality

Thanks to a social media follower, Oleg Kotsour, I was reminded of an incident that occurred years ago when I was a young journalist, relatively speaking, and I had the opportunity to ask President Bill Clinton a question about US-Ukraine relations.

The event is meaningful because of the history that has transpired before and since that press conference and how hypotheticals can become reality and like the shark in “Jaws” it swims up and bites you on the ass.

The setting: A presidential press conference on March 4, 1994, at the White House with President Clinton and President Leonid Kravchuk. I was a correspondent with The National Tribune, a Ukrainian American newspaper based in New York City.

It was taking place amid the euphoria of Ukraine’s agreement to eliminate its nuclear arsenal, sadly in favor of Russia. Earlier that year, the Verkhovna Rada approved the trilateral agreement and unconditionally ratified the START Treaty and the Lisbon Protocol. Then, Ukraine joined the NATO Partnership for Peace. Ironically, Ukraine’s accession to NATO continues to be stuck in the mud despite fulfilling all requirements and Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Boris Yeltsin at the time was president of Russia, some six years before Vladimir Putin was to assume the corner office in the Kremlin.

“In our meeting today I strongly reaffirmed American support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. I urged President Kravchuk to continue to work to achieve Ukraine’s accession to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,” Clinton assured.

The two presidents shared views on developments in Russia and their impact on Ukraine. “We discussed ways to expand cooperation between our two nations. At the core of our agenda is developing a closer economic relationship. While Ukraine is going through a difficult period of transition, it remains a nation with enormous economic potential, endowed with abundant natural resources and human talent,” Clinton observed three decades ago.

Clinton expressed his view that the best way to develop the full measure of these resources, Ukraine’s most promising future clearly lies with market reform. “That’s why I was pleased that President Kravchuk today expressed his determination to move forward toward comprehensive market reform,” he added.

Clinton also said, “As Ukraine proceeds with reform, the United States is prepared to mobilize support from the G-7 nations and from international financial institutions. We’re also prepared to increase our bilateral economic assistance to $350 million this year for privatization, small business creation, and other priorities, and to help Ukraine dismantle nuclear weapons we've committed $350 million in Nunn-Lugar funds. Total US assistance available to Ukraine this year will therefore be $700 million. This represents a major increased commitment to an important friend in the region.”

Life for newly independent Ukraine then was not worry free. In addition to centuries of Russian invasions, war and subjugation, Moscow was not pleased that on August 24, 1991, Ukraine finally declared its independence and broke loose from its yoke.

Not being pleased with the course of the questions and answers, I posed two of my own which dealt with American support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine in case Russia seizes Crimea and will the reemergence of Russian imperialism, which was previously cited in the bilateral discussions, harm Ukraine?

President Clinton observed: “Well, the United States supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and I personally have been very impressed that all the parties involved in the Crimean issue seem to be very responsible in their comments and their policies recently, so I think you are asking me a hypothetical which doesn’t seem too probable in light of the policies and the statements which have been made.”

Watch the C-Span link that I included at the conclusion of this post.

Since then that hypothetical in the minds of American officials but not historical records became an ironic reality. In early 2014 Russia invaded Ukraine and occupied Crimea and later than spring it invaded and occupied the Ukrainian oblasts of Luhansk and Donetsk. Eight years later Moscow invaded Ukraine and sparked the first war in Europe since the end of World War Two that rages until today.

This scenario, that plagues the world affairs, harkens back to a question posed during the recent XXIII Congress of Ukrainian Americans – the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America – that was held in Philadelphia. Michael Sawkiw Jr., director of the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) who would be elected UCCA president at that conclave, posed a question to a group of panelists discussing the war about what should be done to prevent Russia from ever invading Ukraine again.

Outside of giving Ukraine NATO membership and continually raising awareness about the never ending Russian desire to invade and subjugate all independent countries in its so-called near abroad, the international community should never allow the free world to forget about Russian imperialism and its individual and collective victims.

It has been an intellectual discussion about why were the allies successful in defeating Hitler’s Nazi war machine in 1945? On the surface, there’s no difference. A saber-rattling dictator threatens his near abroad, invades weak Poland and triggers a bloody European war that ends in victory for the allies some six years later.

However, World War Two became everyone’s war. Everyone had a stake in it so everyone anted up. Everyone equally wanted to end the war with an allied victory, Nazi defeat in order to restore peace, stability and harmony, and bring home the boys.

The stakes aren’t identical. Ukrainian allies, especially its near aboard that know the meaning of Russian imperialism, subjugation and repression, broadly support Ukraine and actively strive for Russia’s defeat and Ukraine’s victory. But still something is missing from this puzzle that keeps the free world from vigorously committing itself to ending this war. Is it local boys’ blood? Is it accession to NATO? Right now its Ukraine’s war but it must become the world’s war like it did eight decades ago. Everyone should have a stake in its conclusion. The farther the allies are from Ukraine, the more passive is their support, and the more they or some of their citizens need to be convinced that what is happening in Ukraine could happen on the streets of New York.

The Washington cannot afford to be gullible and naive in its relations with Moscow. The New York Post wrote in its October 19 edition that Putin outsmarted three US presidents. That was kind. Moscow has been outwitting America for decades.

Russians have always lived up to our worst expectations of their behavior. Ukrainian towns, farms, infrastructure and industries have been destroyed. Civilian men, women and children have been targeted for death. Dead bodies, burned out, rusting tanks, trucks and jeeps, unexploded ordnance and missiles pollute wheat fields and threaten the lives of farmers and their children, while unknown chemicals, petroleum and other liquid contaminants will seep deep into the underground aquifers.

Ukraine is not isolated on the map of Europe. The hypothetical that Bill Clinton discounted has become a reality. Now Europe’s health and existence are threatened. So for the good of mankind, it’s time for Europe and the free world to ante up and change reality on the planet. Supplying weapons that merely give Ukraine time to persevere and survive is insufficient. It’s time to destroy Russia’s evil.

https://x.com/OlegKostour/status/1847871877559308806?s=19

US to Provide $425 Million in Military Aid as Kyiv Faces 3 Enemies Alone

Russia’s war against Ukraine, which is approaching the unenviable 1,000-day milestone, is still attracting global attention thanks to the brutal, homicidal behavior of Moscow’s cutthroats.

Ceaseless bombardment of civilian homes, supermarkets and infrastructure are leaving Ukrainian men, women and children in dire straits as the region is nearing winter. Odesa on the Black Sea, for example, has been bombed four times this week as Russia hopes to destroy foodstuffs and other cargo. Mykolayiv, Kherson and even Ternopil have been targeted by Russian rockets. And the death toll keeps rising.

Russia continues to commit heinous crimes against humanity by executing 16 Ukrainian prisoners of war during their incarceration. And, last and certainly not least, another Ukrainian journalist, Victoria Roshchyna, died in Russian detention, or rather was killed by her Russian captors while imprisoned.

The war is expanding systematically beyond the borders of Ukraine by way of the Ukrainian army’s successful invasion of Kursk, the first time the territory of Russia has been invaded since the end of World War Two and the first time ever in history for Ukrainian soldiers to cross the border.

When asked which are the three most dangerous countries on the face of the earth, President Zelenskyy remarked in the Ukrainian parliament that they are Russia, Iran and North Korea. Russia – for obvious reasons; Iran, probably the world’s largest manufacturer of missiles and drones that have been commissioned by Moscow to bomb Ukraine; and North Korea – the latest country to join the evil side of this war by dispatching 10,000 troops to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine. Actually, Russia and Iran have earlier conspired to eliminate each other’s enemies: Ukraine and Israel, respectively.

While these three malicious countries have set their sights on annihilating Ukraine, there’s only one country with the gumption to stand up to them – Ukraine. Since Kyiv is going it alone against these three international criminals, the free world should be compelled to help it repel these invaders by providing it with all of the weapons it needs as well as membership in NATO.

President Joe Biden spoke to President Zelenskyy on Wednesday, October 16, about efforts to surge security assistance to Ukraine and announced a new $425 million military aid package, the White House said.

The security package includes air defense capability, air-to-ground munitions, armored vehicles and critical munitions, the White House said in a statement.

Zelenskyy, writing on Telegram, expressed gratitude to Biden, both parties of Congress and the American people for the new package and said he spoke to Biden about Kyiv’s five-point “victory plan,” which he presented to parliament on that day.

“I proposed considering the possibility of joint weapons production,” he said. “We also discussed the importance of additional training for Ukrainian soldiers.”

Ukraine, he said, thanked the United States “for its readiness to help Ukraine strengthen its positions to compel Russia toward honest diplomacy.”

It would also be beneficial if the Ukrainian General Staff were to devise an updated plan along the lines of the movie “Operation Crossbow.”

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Presents His Peace Formula at UN

UNITED NATIONS – In a speech less bellicose than he is known for, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his UN General Assembly address today focused on securing global peace and justice, emphasizing that neither can exist without an independent and sovereign Ukraine.

“I want peace for my people – real peace and just peace. And I’m asking for your support – from all nations of the world. We do not divide the world. I ask the same of you – do not divide the world. Be united Nations, and that will bring us peace,” Zelenskyy said during his whirlwind political tour of New York City and other neighboring towns to build positive momentum for Peace Formula.

In his nearly 20-minute speech, Zelenskyy pointed out that no amount of Russian rockets will break Ukrainians’ spirit.

“Since Russia can’t defeat our people’s resistance on the battlefield, Putin is looking for other ways to break the Ukrainian spirit. One of his methods is targeting our energy infrastructure. These are deliberate Russian attacks on our power plants, and the entire energy grid. As of today, Russia has destroyed all our thermal power plants and a large part of our hydroelectric capacity. This is how Putin is preparing for winter – hoping to torment millions, millions of Ukrainians… Ordinary families – women, children… Ordinary towns, ordinary villages. Putin wants to leave them in the dark and cold this winter, forcing Ukraine to suffer and surrender. Just imagine, please, your country with 80 percent of its energy system gone – with such a destroyed part of the system. What kind of life would that be?” he said

However, Zelenskyy pointed out, it’s important for him that all of the people “understand that Ukraine wants to end this war more than anyone in the world."

War poses a wide range of threats to the population, notably children, he continued, due to missiles, smoke, and – God forbid, he added – nuclear fallout. “If, God forbid, Russia causes a nuclear disaster at one of our nuclear power plants, radiation won’t respect state borders, and unfortunately, various nations could feel the devastating effects. Many are concerned, but the deepest understanding of war is always found in the home it destroys,” Zelenskyy said.

“It is the Ukrainian people who feel the full pain of this war. It’s Ukrainian children who are learning to distinguish the sounds of different types of artillery and drones because of Russia’s war. It’s our people who are forcefully separated by occupation because Putin decided he could do whatever he wants. It’s our heroic soldiers who are giving their lives to defend our country from invaders trying to steal our land. That’s why we say, rightfully so – there can be no just peace without Ukraine.

“And I thank every leader, every country that supports us in this, that understands us – that sees how Russia, a country more than twenty times larger than Ukraine in territory, still wants even more land, more land – which is insane – and is seizing it, day by day, while wanting to destroy its neighbor. And Russia found very special buddies for that – North Korea and Iran, a telling choice of friends. Now every neighbor of Russia in Europe and Central Asia feels that the war could come to them as well, and just think – what kind of losses that would mean for the world.”

Addressing the bureaucratic mechanisms of the UN, Zelenskyy criticized the existence of the oppressive veto: “These are different, absolutely, parts of the world and various political ways of life, but they share the same understanding – peace is needed, and it must be a real, just peace.

“Unfortunately, at the UN, it’s impossible to truly and fairly resolve matters of war and peace because too much depends in the Security Council on the veto power. When the aggressor exercises veto power, the UN is powerless to stop the war. But the Peace Formula can – once again, there is no veto power in it. That’s why it’s the best opportunity for peace – everyone is equal, and it’s effective and comprehensive.”

Zelenskyy summarized the demands of his Peace Formula in this manner:

“We must restore nuclear safety.

“Energy must stop being used as a weapon.

“We must ensure food security.

“We need to bring home all our captured soldiers and civilians forcibly deported to Russia.

“We must uphold the UN Charter and guarantee our right – Ukraine’s right – to territorial integrity and sovereignty, just as we do for any other nation.

“We need to withdraw the Russian occupiers, which will bring an end to the hostilities in Ukraine.

“We must hold those responsible for war crimes accountable.

“We need to prevent ecocide and stop the destruction of nature caused by the war.

“And we must not allow a second or third phase of this Russian invasion.

“And we need to make it clear – the war is over.”

It’s that simple but Russia isn’t in favor of it.

Lithuanian President at UN Denounces Russia for Invading Ukraine

UNITED NATIONS – Gitanas Nausėda, president of Lithuania and one of the first speakers this morning at the General Debate of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, devoted almost his entire address to denouncing Russia for disrupting the world order and invading Ukraine without provocation.

Of all the regional wars today such as the crisis in the Middle East and rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, Nausėda called the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine “the most dangerous threat.”

Goading the representatives of the member-states to remember Russia’s rhetoric that led to its invasion in February 2022, Nausėda said, “How many times have they openly admitted that the Kremlin intends to wipe Ukraine from the face of Earth! If any sovereign nation is under the threat of complete destruction, no country is truly safe anymore. If the international community looks away and ignores the unpleasant truth, no country is truly safe anymore. And if mass killings, deportations and deliberate attacks on civilian population become the new norm, no country is truly safe anymore.”

Nausėda admonished the international assemblage: “That should disturb us all.”

To bring the war to an end and achieve lasting peace, more actions will have to follow, he said. “Justice will have to be served. Russia will have to atone for its many crimes and pay damages. The main culprits of the war of aggression and numerous war crimes will have to stand before the court.”

The first to stand trial, Nausėda pointed out, should be Vladimir Putin, who is already under an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for his crimes, specifically unlawful deportation and unlawful transfer of children. “I call on the United Nations member-countries to enforce this warrant,” he said.

Additionally, frozen Russian foreign assets should also be used to pay for the damage done to Ukraine.

The Lithuanian president warned that Russia is preparing to return to the era of imperial conquest, colonial domination and genocide, adding that none of the General Assembly members would want “to see powerful neighbors convincing themselves that from now on every dispute should be settled by force.”

Pointing out that Ukraine’s armed forced is single-handedly fighting not only a defensive war but “Ukraine is also fighting for the future of all those countries who believe in the United Nations Charter and its principles. Ukraine is fighting for us all,” Nausėda said. However, he continued reproachfully, collectively the world hasn’t done enough.

“We have not been able to stop this madness. We have not been able to force Russia to reconsider its dangerous course. We have not been able to hold it accountable for so many violations of the United Nations Charter,” he said.

The reason why Russia has been able to ride roughshod over the UN principles, Ukraine and international community is “Because to this day, the aggressor is hiding under the cover of the Security Council’s permanent membership. Hiding in plain sight. Mocking every one of us with its unrestricted veto power.”

Russia’s criminal behavior is a “terrible blow to the very credibility” of the United Nations, he continued, while simultaneously the global community keeps hearing calls for Ukraine to surrender, to compromise on its sovereignty and territorial integrity, or to accept Russia’s ultimatums.

“Why should the aggressor be rewarded?” Nausėda asked. “Why should appeasement work this time, when it failed so spectacularly almost 90 years ago? Why should the victim agree to the demands of the terrorist-in-chief, sitting safe in the Kremlin after so much bloodshed and loss of innocent lives?”

Despite the bloodshed and political vacillation, “Ukraine is still fighting. Ukraine is still going strong, regardless of all the appeasers and doomsayers. And only Ukraine has the right to determine the actual conditions for peace,” the Lithuanian president emphasized.

Simultaneously, he told the diplomats seated in front of him, “we have the duty to support Ukraine. To restrict Russia’s ability to wage war and ensure the accountability of those responsible for the crime of aggression and crimes against humanity. To reform the Security Council and to rebuild the credibility of the United Nations Charter.”

To withstand enormous pressure and win this war, Nausea said Ukraine needs more military equipment, ammunition, and medical supplies. Ukraine also urgently needs humanitarian and financial aid.

With Russia’s rocket attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, Nausėda expects the upcoming winter will be extremely difficult for the Ukrainian people.

“Constant deliberate Russian attacks on critical energy infrastructure have destroyed more than 80 percent of Ukraine’s thermal energy generation and a third of its hydro generation. To prevent a humanitarian catastrophe, our assistance should be swift and focused on the energy sector,” he said.

Nausėda called on other countries, including Belarus, Iran, North Korea, and China, to stop providing Russia with military support, including the transfer of dual-use materials. “More arms for Russia mean more civilian deaths. More civilian infrastructure destroyed. More chaos,” he cautioned.

Voicing his support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace formula which he will reveal tomorrow, Nausėda said it deserves universal support because it is based on the universal principles of the United Nations Charter – sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law.

“Lithuania urges all peace-loving countries to actively engage in these efforts, including preparation for and participation in the next Summit of the Peace Formula,” he said.

Nausėda believes the war could scale down tomorrow if only Russia would agree “to disengage and withdraw its forces” from all occupied regions of Ukraine.

“Ukraine does not want Russia’s territories. It wants to liberate its own people – not Russia’s. It wants to see prisoners of war and abducted children – thousands of them – returned. It wants the constant deliberate bombing of civilian infrastructure, of so many schools, hospitals, and power stations, to finally stop,” he said.

Today’s regional wars must convince the member-states to push for a comprehensive reform of the Security Council, noting “there is simply no place for Russia in the Security Council, which was created to maintain international peace and security.”

Nausėda expressed his country’s hopes that the world will soon witness Ukraine’s victory. However, until that happens, Lithuania, an unfaltering former captive nation of Russian subjugation advocate for Ukraine, will not waver nor raise the white flag.

“Until this becomes reality, Lithuania’s position remains steadfast. We will not recognize Russia’s illegal annexation of any Ukrainian region, be it Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, or Zaporizhzhia. We will not stop demanding that Russia ends grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Lithuania will continue providing shelter to Ukrainian war refugees. Lithuania will continue supporting Ukraine with all possible means.”

If all else Fails, Blood and Guts will Win
Except for the pomp and circumstance, the annual fall ritual of debates in conjunction with the latest United Nations General Assembly session – the 79^th this year – will get under way on Tuesday in New York City.
World leaders, the regular ones that we see habitually on television or read about in newspapers and news magazines, will be presenting their points of view about the most important topics that pertain to the planet and their nations.
President Joe Biden, as the leader of the host country, will kick off the slew of speakers tomorrow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will speak on Wednesday. Other world leaders or their designees will line up on either side of the great global political divide and give it their best – the free world plus the former captive nations of Russian subjugation vs. the undemocratic world or Russian-lead evil empire and the uncertain developing world.
With major wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East all other topics that have been addressed at the United Nations such as health, underwater resources, space exploration, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, climate and ecology, poverty, social inclusion, equality and inequality, civil society, even the elusive aim of peace, security and development will undoubtedly be relegated to the “also ran” bin.
The two wars that I cited previously, that are separated by the Mediterranean and Black seas and different cultures, are united by the fact that Russia and Iran are deeply involved in both. Iran is making an untold amount of money manufacturing missiles and drones for Russia and Hezbollah and its supporters. Those missiles and airborne projectiles kill civilians, destroy their homes and contaminate the environment in Ukraine and the Middle East. According to intelligence sources – among them Ukrainian – Russia and Iran have shaken hands on a deal to eliminate each other’s nightmares: Ukraine for Russia and Israel for Iran. That chessboard offers a lot of military and civilian targets for both inhuman criminal perpetrators.
Experts and amateurs alike are watching developments in both regions as well as the words that will be spoken this week in the hallowed halls of the United Nations.
About a dozen years ago the UN General Assembly used the term “aggressor-nation” in reference to Russia and its seizure and occupation of the Ukrainian peninsula Crimea. That derogative moniker has taken to Russia like the term Holocaust to Nazi Germany. In peaceful and passive ways, the UN and its agencies have reminded the member-states and the international community that Russia is a pariah nation that should be expelled from all regional and global institutions. But the UN is not likely to do that. Newspapers like the New York Post and The New York Times also denounce Moscow for its crimes against humanity in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Inside the UN headquarters, on the eve of the UNGA, Russia has been left badly isolated, reported The Guardian, when it made a surprise move to derail an ambitious pact designed to revive the UN – a favorite topic of discussion about revitalizing the UN – but Moscow failed. Russia’s move to defer adoption of the agreement on the grounds that it supposedly represented western interests was rejected on Sunday by 143 votes to seven with 15 abstentions. With a bloodied nose, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will mount the stage to say his piece.
Three positive developments have occurred against the backdrop of events at the UN. First, Ukraine enjoys the White House’s comprehensive military and moral support; second, Ukraine has successfully and noticeably taken the war to the enemy by invading Kursk and launching long-range missiles and drones against 200 military targets deep in Russia. And finally, President Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena, arrived in the United States diplomatically armed to the teeth with new proposals about ending the war in Ukraine. For Zelenskyy and Ukrainians around the world this is a significant point about ending the war. It’s not about doing anything detrimental to Ukraine and the nation, giving up Ukrainian acreage or negotiating an end, he clarified. He wants to apply diplomatic pressure on Russia to give up the war against Ukraine and leave. Zelenskyy emphasized on television today that he does not intend to surrender any Ukrainian land that Russia is temporarily occupying.
He also poignantly visited a munitions factory in Scranton, PA, that’s manufacturing arms for Ukraine. The significance lies in the fact that he negated all nay-sayers and Russian sympathizers’ comments about America’s wasteful and useless support for Ukraine’s war effort. That factory in Pennsylvania employs hard-working Americans who take home salaries to feed their families while making weapons for the Ukrainian army. That’s a win-win.
While Zelenskyy, Ukraine and the war still occupy a favorable and central point in the attention of the world, the President of Ukraine must be given the leverage to push his plan to a fair and victorious conclusion for the nation.
The latest iteration of Russia’s war against Ukraine has been going on since February 2022 and before that since 2014 and before that for a millennium. Ukrainians, in the words of the late Israeli Prime Minister Gold Meir, have no choice but to fight against this or any other aggressor because the alternative is death.
As for hoping against hope that the UNGA will come up with a solution? It’s better to put your faith in the blood and guts of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.

X-Captive Nations: Protect Ukraine’s Frontline and Skies

One of our recurring editorial points of view has been the essential necessity of the nations that experienced Russian aggression, subjugation and domination to form an impenetrable regional multi-functional military and political bloc.

Moscow’s ongoing threats and its brutal, unforgivable war against Ukraine have testified to the legitimacy of this belief.

Ukraine and the Baltic states at their periodic meetings have reinforced this mission and have begun forming special military detachments in case Russia escalates its aggression to the West.

On the occasion of the 33^rd anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of Poland Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė – two of the strongest allies and supporters of Kyiv.

“It is very important that the states of our region equally perceive the Russian terrorist threat and, accordingly, increase cooperation to shoot down Russian missiles and drones. The more such cooperation we have, the sooner Moscow will realize the hopelessness of its terrorist tactics,” the President said.

Indeed, it is not an outlandish thought that Putin could order his cutthroats to cross into Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and then press on. The question of manpower is irrelevant because Putin’s military minions capture potential conscripts like the anecdotal dog catcher, hand them a rifle and send them to  the front. Once there quite frequently they are killed or they simply surrender. Furthermore, what is not reported in the mainstream media is that novice cutthroats mostly come from the Asian regions of the Russian empire, from the east of the Ural Mountains, thousands of miles from Moscow or St. Petersburg. Why are they fighting for Russia, the POWs have been asked, because their families are held hostage back home.

At the meeting with his regional colleagues, Zelenskyy informed that Ukraine is increasing the capabilities of its defense and industrial complex, and it needs to strengthen cooperation with partners for joint production of weapons.

“Each such decision to finance production in Ukraine, to develop production facilities, will add the strength we all need and make a just peace for Ukraine and the whole of Europe inevitable,” he said.

Ukraine’s surprising, creative and heroic invasion of nuclear Russia demonstrates its added strength and boosted morale. If only the free world’s active weapons support were authorized earlier then certainly the war would be over and peace would blanket Ukraine and Europe.

Zelenskyy urged Ukraine’s partners to encourage all of the allies to endorse the use of long-range weapons against Russia.

President of Poland Andrzej Duda congratulated Ukraine on the 33rd anniversary of independence and assured that Poland will continue helping our country: by providing political, military, and other necessary support, as well as training Ukrainian warriors, medical workers, and rescuers.

“We have no doubt that it is our duty as fellow citizens of this part of Europe to support Ukraine on its way to the EU. That is why, Mr. President, we support and will continue to support you on your way to the European Union and NATO,” Duda said.

Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s victory in the war and spoke about the recent aid package to Ukraine, which includes 10 short-range air defense systems, 30 missiles, anti-drone and other equipment, weapons, and ammunition. In addition, Lithuania hopes to provide more than 5,000 drones of its own production by the end of the fall.

“It is our duty to help Ukraine recover, but the only real way to finance these efforts is to make the aggressor pay. Lithuania will never tire of repeating that all Russian assets frozen and blocked as part of our sanctions should be transferred to Ukraine. We must continue strengthening sanctions against Russia and its accomplices,” Šimonytė concluded.

Zelenskyy: Russia will be Held Accountable

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, in his address on the occasion of the 33^rd anniversary of his country’s independence, warned the Kremlin in words that would not lead to confusion or misinterpretation that Russia would be held liable for its crimes and destruction in Ukraine.

For every civilian killed, for every child killed, for every girl and woman raped, for every church, home and hospital destroyed, for every forest, field and river polluted.

Zelenskyy declared: “We know what independence looks like. On the morning of February 24, it was in our eyes. Today, independence is in the trenches in all directions. It is in our cities and villages: in each episode when we find the best in ourselves, find Ukraine in ourselves, and fight for it. Independence today has tired eyes that have seen it all. Independence smiles when Ukrainians succeed. Independence is silence when we lose our people. Independence is the oath to never forget the fallen heroes. Independence tastes of smoke and dust on the battlefield and in civilian life. Independence descends into the shelter during an air raid alert to survive and to rise again to tell the enemy again: you will not succeed. You will fail. You will not prevail. And you will be held accountable for everything.

This is how we feel freedom. This is what Ukraine looks like. This is what independence looks like. And this is what it sounds like:

“Happy Independence Day, Ukrainians!”

Openly alerting Moscow about Ukraine’s intentions in this Russian war against its democratic existence, Zelenskyy said a Ukrainian national trait is to pay back debts. “And whoever wished misery upon our land shall find it in their own home. With interest. Whoever seeks to sow evil on our land will reap its fruits on their own territory,” he declared.

As we say in the USA, his words apparently are not idle threats but rather real promises.

“This is not a prophecy, not gloating, not blind revenge; it is a pattern. It is justice. A boomerang for evil. And its launch began not far from the place where I am recording this address. The Sumy region. Mohrytsya. The river of Psel. A few kilometers from our border.

“The border between Ukraine and oppression, between life and death. The border between an independent European state and the number one terrorist organization in the world.

“913 days ago, Russia unleashed war against us, including through the Sumy region. It violated not only our sovereign borders, but also the limits of cruelty and common sense. It was endlessly striving for one thing: to destroy us. Instead, today we celebrate the 33rd Independence Day of Ukraine. And whatever the enemy was bringing to our land has now returned to their home.”

Ukraine’s successful invasion of nuclear Russia was the vehicle that brought Moscow’s war directly to the Russian people. As Ukrainians have experienced since February 22, 2022, Russians do so now. They will feel every missile, every death, every tear.

However, there is a significant difference. Russia invaded Ukraine and indiscriminately killed innocent, unarmed Ukrainian men, women and children. Not by accident, not as collateral damage. But in a targeted fashion.

Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian army’s invasion of Russia is different.

He confidently declared: “Ukraine astonishes once again. Russia reverts once again to its repertoire. This is how the world media generally portray the events in the Kursk region. They show how Russia treats its citizens, whom it calls “the population.” How Russia “does not abandon” their own. How their soldiers loot their local shops. This is what Putin's Russia looks like in the eyes of the world. And in the same way, the entire world sees how our warriors provide water, food, and medicine to the local people, who say: ‘It's good that you are here now, not the Kadyrovites.’ This is what Ukraine's dignity looks like. Civility. The virtue of our independence.”

Ukrainians, who have fought against many invaders for ten centuries for their independence appreciate what it means to be free, Zelenskyy said. They also know how difficult it is to revive and restore their lost independence, and how difficult it is to defend it.

“But we know: everything depends on us,” he emphasized.

How true that is today. Ukrainian soldiers, pilots and sailors – men and women – are defending their freedom and simultaneously safeguarding Europe. All they want and require are the weapons to do so.

“And no one else in the world will say: ‘Where is Ukraine?’ Because every continent now says: ‘Ukraine must win.’ This fuels our independence. Our Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said.

Many have helped Ukraine in this uneven war, and Zelensky expressed gratitude to all of them:

“I thank everyone who helps our warriors and our state, all those who live and work to keep our independence working and living. Our medical workers, our rescuers, our firefighters, power engineers, our volunteers and entrepreneurs, police officers and farmers, railroad workers, teachers and students. All of them. Ukrainians here, Ukrainians abroad, who help, find, send the necessary supplies, tell the world about Ukraine. And everyone who stays with Ukraine in the temporarily occupied territories. All Ukrainians whose strength has no borders, whose will is boundless. All those to whom I am immensely grateful.”