Semper Fi! Ukrainian Marines

Marines, leathernecks! You just have to love them regardless if they’re American or Ukrainian.

Lt. Gen. Yuriy Sodol, the commander of the Ukrainian marines, has called on the russian invaders to flee or surrender to the Ukrainian defenders, according to Pravda.com.ua, citing the Defense Ministry of Ukraine.

Sodol said: “I will separately address the russian military: before it’s too late, run, return to your ‘Marushkas’ (referring to russian women by the diminutive for Mary) or surrender, otherwise it’s your fate is being fertilizer on someone else’s land; a body bag or disability awaits you, this is your ‘happy’ future. Unlike you, we know what we are fighting for, we are united, we are one.”

Sodol declared that the goal of Ukrainian defenders is to liberate all territories of Ukraine: “We will do everything so that the blue-yellow flag flies again in all cities of Donbas and Crimea.”

He also said that the occupiers are gathering forces and stockpiling reserves: “This means that soon thousands of newly drafted Russians will undergo ‘reverse’ mobilization.”

“Kremlin terrorists have not abandoned their bloody plans, they do not count losses because people are merely consumables for them. For their part, the Ukrainian marines will continue to do what they do best – destroy the enemy: methodically, systematically, daily.”

Semper fi! Three cheers! Слава морпіхам!

Lublin Triangle Guarantor of Security for X-Captive Nations

The historic alliance known as the Lublin Triangle with its Lublin Brigade, first cited here on July 23, 2020, and rarely written about elsewhere, is being fleshed out by Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania with mutually beneficial, premeditated substance, dynamic principles, reciprocal support, political vision and understanding of current threats by russia.

Indeed, motivated by russia’s 11-month war against Ukraine that began nine years ago and has lasted since 1169 when the muscovite ruler Andrey Bogoliubskiy sacked Kyiv, the presidents of the three neighboring former captive nations of russian subjugation have formalized and strengthened their relations and entered a new strategic phase of their foreign affairs – albeit 78 years too late.

For the nations that declared their independence from russia and escaped its centuries-long bondage such a regional alliance is a godsend and perhaps their only means of self-preservation and sovereignty. Not surprising then is the observation by Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki, who recently said “If Germany does not agree to the supply of Leopard 2, we will create a smaller coalition of states that are ready to share tanks with Ukraine.” With NATO straddling the fence regarding high-powered military equipment for Ukraine, such a smaller coalition, a regional “NATO,” comes at the right moment. Fortunately, Germany yielded to its neighbors’ pressure but the issue demonstrated the political power of a small coalition of states that understands the dangers of russia and are willing to stand up to it.

On August 2, 2020, I had cited an interview with Pavlo Klimkin, when he was minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine, who advocated the creation of such a necessary and far-reaching bloc. Outraged by the Russian invasion of his homeland, Klimkin suggested soon after President Petro Poroshenko’s visit to Canada and the United States the creation of a Coalition of Freedom to defend democracy and Western values in a troubled world.

“It is about security for everyone,” Klimkin had said during an exclusive Fox News interview on the eve of the 71st UN General Assembly in 2016. “If someone in this interchangeable and intertwined world cannot feel secure, how can US citizens here feel secure?”

Klimkin explained that Ukraine is confronting – and still is – a threat any nation can face, adding “we need a network of security.” His Coalition of Freedom would consist of “countries which are committed to freedom, to democratic values, where we are not talking about spheres of influence, but the values and real interests of democratic countries.”

Indeed, despite the passing of a few years but with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine destroying the country and killing its people, Klimkin’s theme as well as the Lublin Triangle fit today’s dangerous global agenda, especially the one faced by the former captive nations that exist russia’s shadow.

Presidents of Poland, Andrzej Duda, Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, held a meeting in Lviv, on January 11, where they signed a joint statement of the presidents of the Lublin Triangle.

“The Presidents of Poland, Andrzej Duda, Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A joint statement of the presidents of the Lublin Triangle has been signed in Lviv today,” the Office of the President of Poland said on Twitter.

The joint declaration signed by the presidents of Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland following the second summit of the Lublin Triangle supports holding the Global Peace Formula Summit, creating a special international tribunal to prosecute russia, giving Ukraine EU and NATO membership prospects, and continuing security assistance to Ukrainians. The task and goal of helping Ukraine in its war with russia was placed high on the list of the agreement’s mission.

“The Joint Declaration is the result of the negotiations. It reflects the key political, humanitarian and other conclusions of today's meeting,” Zelenskyy said.

According to the Zelenskyy’s Office, the Joint Declaration confirms the centuries-old historical ties between Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland, as well as defines the priority areas of cooperation of the Lublin Triangle, in particular in the framework of the strategic course of our country to acquire full membership in the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The document reaffirms the intention of Lithuania and Poland to continue providing powerful military, technical, defense, humanitarian and other support to Ukraine.

The Joint Declaration highlights support for convening the Global Peace Formula Summit to consolidate international support for the peace plan presented by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The support for the establishment of a special international tribunal to prosecute the Russian Federation for the crime of aggression against Ukraine is confirmed.

The document praises the expansion of the Black Sea Grain Initiative to other seaports of Ukraine and the importance of continuing the Grain from Ukraine program to strengthen global food security.

“The signing of the Joint Declaration at the level of the Presidents of Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland enshrines the support of the Lithuanian and Polish parties for the prospect of Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO as soon as the conditions allow,” the President’s Office informed.

The Polish President emphasized that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of russia, his country has provided humanitarian aid and weapons to Ukraine to repel the Russian invasion.

“We know very well what russian occupation is, because for many years we have not had our own statehood because of Russia. We were under russian occupation several times, so we will continue to support Ukraine and provide the necessary assistance in the future. We will continue to supply weapons to Ukraine,” Duda said.

He noted that russia intends to continue the war and will systematically take measures to destroy Ukraine - destroy infrastructure and cities. Therefore, russia must be stopped.

“In order for the Armed Forces to effectively defend Ukraine, they need modern weapons. And these weapons must be transferred to Ukraine,” Duda noted.

In his turn, Gitanas Nausėda stressed that this war must end with the victory of Ukraine and the aggressor must be held accountable.

“We are doing everything possible to support Ukraine, particularly in the military sphere,” the President of Lithuania said.

Nausėda pointed that Lithuania provides military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in various formats, in particular by transferring generators and organizing projects in support of Ukraine on its territory. Among other things, he mentioned the work of the specially opened Ukrainian Center in Vilnius.

Nausėda has also confirmed that his country and Poland supported Ukraine on the way to the EU candidate status and expressed confidence that the EU would soon have an opportunity to discuss the launch of negotiations on the full-fledged membership of Ukraine at the level of the European Council.

Nausėda touched upon the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine from NATO, which could be provided, in particular, at the next summit, to make Ukraine feel safer and feel the support of the Alliance.

“Today we must admit that the war continues and the territorial integrity of Ukraine is violated. First, it is necessary to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine. However, Ukraine's membership in NATO cannot be taken off the agenda. We must agree on the algorithms and formulas to be used in order to move further in this aspect,” the President of Lithuania concluded.

Separately, Zelenskyy said, “Poland has decided to provide tanks for Ukraine - I am grateful for this. I thank President Duda, the Government of Poland, all our Polish friends. Lithuania provides anti-aircraft systems to our country - the weapons we need to protect ourselves from Iranian drones - to protect our energy sector. I thank Gitanas for another demonstration of unwavering and principled support for Ukraine, which began even before February 24 and will continue until our victory.

“Today, I heard this confidence once again from both Andrzej and Gitanas - we will go all the way together to restore security of Ukraine and the whole of Europe, to restore our territorial integrity, to restore peace. Russian aggression must fail - and it will.”

As for the russian war against Ukraine, Zelenskyy noted in an address to the nation that the three presidents “also talked about the situation on the battlefield. In particular, that Russian aggression will be depleted only when Russian ambitions have no other alternative except for the defeat. All Russian ambitions - on the front, in politics, in economy, in the legal sphere.”

Earlier, on December 6, 2022, three non-governmental organizations from Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine, namely the Civic Resilience Initiative, Kosciuszko Institute and Detector Media, presented in Brussels during the EU – Ukraine Forum on Countering Disinformation a joint in-depth report highlighting the challenges emanating from russian disinformation and propaganda activities in the Lublin Triangle countries.

Underscoring the presence of russian propaganda and disinformation that threatens the existence of the three states, the NGO representatives made the following recommendations:

• Raising awareness, which is the cornerstone of resilience to russian malign information campaigns;

• Nominating a critical coordinating body responsible for strategic communication both in the country and abroad;

• Developing or strengthening a comprehensive real-time monitoring system;

• Engaging in practice and know-how sharing with other countries and partners that are highly exposed to russian disinformation;

• Encouraging international and multilateral political dialogue on uniting efforts to combat disinformation;

• Implying a transparent and measurable evaluation system to track the effectiveness of the efforts to build resilience to disinformation.

On November 26, 2022, a meeting of the prime ministers of the member states of the Lublin Triangle - Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland – was held in Kyiv, according to the results of which prime ministers, among other points:

Emphasized the significant role of the Lublin Triangle in consolidating international support for Ukraine in countering russia’s armed aggression;

Confirmed their readiness to continue active cooperation in restoring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders;

Condemned systemic war crimes committed by Russia's forces in regions of Ukraine, including deliberate, indiscriminate, and disproportionate attacks against the civilian population and elements of the civilian infrastructure;

Condemned the forced deportation by the Russian occupiers of thousands of Ukrainian citizens, including children, from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to russia;

Such a pact existed among the captive nations during World War II in order to fight soviet russian aggression.

The Anti-Bolshevik Bloc of Nations (ABN) was a coordinating center for anti-Communist émigré political organizations from Soviet and other socialist countries. The ABN attributes its existence and its ideological foundations to an underground conference of representatives of non-Russian peoples that took place on November 21-22, 1943, near Zhytomyr, Ukraine, on the initiative of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists. The attendees adopted a platform of joint revolutionary struggle against Russian communism. The goal of the ABN was the dissolution of the Soviet Union into national states. Given an organizational structure in Munich in 1946, the ABN extended its scope of activity to include the Eastern European emigration.

The following organizations were members of the ABN from its inception or for varying periods of time: “Free Armenia” Committee, Bulgarian National Front, Belorussian Central Council, Cossack National Liberation Movement, Croatian National Liberation Movement, Czech Movement for Freedom (Za Svobodu), Czech National Committee, Estonian Liberation Movement, Union of the Estonian Fighters for Freedom, Georgian National Organization, Hungarian Liberation Movement, Hungarian Mindszenty Movement, Latvian Association for the Struggle against Communism, Lithuanian Rebirth Movement, Slovak Liberation Committee, National Turkestanian Unity Committee, United Hetman Organization, and the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (Bandera faction).

The establishment of the Lublin Triangle clearly demonstrates the three countries’ concern regarding the continuing threat to their independence and sovereignty posed by russia. Furthermore they are publicly committed to safeguarding their freedom against russian aggression and subjugation. Indeed, this is a step in the right direction – the direction of independence, sovereignty and self-determination of the former captive nations.

To be sure, if NATO and the free world are not prepared to actively undertake this task, then the endangered countries are willing and able to do so by themselves.

US and Allied Tanks are heading to Ukraine
Ukraine’s allies have finally understood the reason why Ukraine must defeat russia and how it will accomplish that mission.
The Biden Administration announced on Wednesday, January 25, that it will send 31 of its premier battle tanks to Ukraine, following agreement with Germany to deliver scores of its Leopard 2 tanks from across Europe. The decisions end months of debate among Western allies and pave the way for a major shift in the balance of power on the Ukrainian battlefield.
President Biden said after morning calls with European leaders that the decisions belied russian President Vladimir putin’s belief that the West would eventually tire of its commitment to Ukraine and “break up” their coalition. On the contrary, they are in lockstep toward the single goal of defeating Russia. Even naysayers like Henry Kissinger has accepted this positive outcome for Ukraine.
“We are fully, totally and completely united,” Biden said in a brief address at the White House. “Today’s announcement builds on the hard work and commitment of countries around the world … that’s what this is about — helping Ukraine defend and protect Ukrainian land.” If Russian troops “return to Russia … where they belong,” he said, “this war will be over today.”
The US plan calls for sending 31 tanks to Ukraine — enough for one battalion, one of the administration officials said. The administration also will send eight M88 recovery vehicles, effectively an armored, tracked tow truck. The plan is to transfer the Leopards, currently spread across Europe, in time for Ukraine to defend against an anticipated russian offensive in the spring, and to launch its own counteroffensive.
In Europe, the goal is to quickly assemble two Leopard tank battalions — equivalent to at least 70 tanks. As a first step, Germany will provide a company of 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from its army’s stocks, the government in Berlin said in a statement. European allies, notably the former captive nations of russian subjugation will also provide tanks with German approval. Poland and a number of other European members of NATO had indicated they are prepared to send Leopard 2s. Finland, Greece, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey all own at least 100 of them.
Germany’s Ministry of Defense said it aims for the tanks to be on the battlefield by the end of March. That leaves a tight window for logistics and training — which is expected to begin within days.
This is the kind of needed allied dedication and cooperation that defeated the last state terrorist Nazi Germany eight decades ago.
In a related matter, Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), representing one of the largest Ukrainian American communities in the United States, today praised the announcement by President Biden, German Chancellor Scholz, and other governments that they will send a massive package of new military and economic support to Ukraine to aid its soldiers in expelling the murderous russian invaders.
“For the last year, the Ukrainian people have been fighting for their very survival,” said Rep. Pascrell. “Russia is pursuing a war of extermination against Ukraine. Russians are butchering women and children, destroying cities, and seeking nothing less than the very extinguishment of Ukraine as a nation-state. Against all odds, Ukraine has fought back and is winning. But Ukraine can only expel the invaders with the full, unremitting help of the civilized world. I have long supported military aid to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. We must arm Ukraine with the weapons it needs to ensure Ukrainian victory and save countless innocent lives.
“I thank President Biden for convincing the German government and our allies around the world to do the right thing today. President Biden’s international leadership, particularly during the crisis in Ukraine, has been outstanding. Emerging from the catastrophic tenure of his predecessor, President Biden has resuscitated American leadership and united the world in defense of democracy. Today America again leads the Arsenal of Democracy.”

105-year Path to Independence in 60 Seconds

This weekend the Ukrainian nation observes its 105-year path to independence that unfortunately continues to be challenged by the latter-day global terrorist – russia.
Today, January 22 is recognized as Ukrainian Unity Day. Indeed, the Ukrainian nation from east to west, north to south is u
nited in a single cause – to defeat russia and live freely and securely within its recognized borders, which incidentally have been reduced over the years.
However, allow me to flesh out this illustrious celebration with a 105-year recap of the bloody details and the nation’s eternal dedication to the cause of national liberty and democracy.
In the days leading up to January 22, 1918, after three previous unsuccessful attempts, Ukrainians of all political affiliations comprehended the everlasting danger posed by tsarist and communist russia and gathered in Kyiv to decide their future. Then on that historical day they declared the full independence of the eastern region from russia — red and white.
The circumstances were mirrored in western Ukraine. On November 1, 1918, Ukrainians in Lviv declared independence of the western region from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
On January 22, 1919, both independent national entities understood that their self-governing future rested in a united country and thus formed an independent, sovereign, indivisible Ukrainian National Republic from the rivers Sian to the Don.
Through the ensuing decades as has been the Ukrainian nation’s destiny the fight for independence continued.
On March 15, 1939, the Transcarpathian region declared independence after fighting Hitler’s ally the Hungarians – so World War Two really began earlier than September of that year with Ukrainians first striking a blow against the Nazis.
On June 30, 1941, the revolutionary government of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists in Lviv declared the restoration of the January 22 proclamation and established an independent temporary seat in western Ukraine pending victory and relocation to Kyiv. This dramatic move angered Berlin and Moscow who fought for its destruction without the Western allies’ comprehension of what was really happening.
After the war, the fight for Ukrainian independence continued in the gulags, academia, the streets, Orange Revolution, Maidan, Revolution of Dignity until August 24, 1991, when the latest independence proclamation was declared in the Verkhovna Rada, the parliament.
Unfortunately, the path to freedom didn’t end with the raising of hands. As Thomas Jefferson famously wrote: “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
On February 24, 2022, russia again invaded Ukraine and the bloody war for Ukrainian independence resumed.
For this quest to end, give Ukraine the tanks that its armed forces need to defeat and destroy russia. Truthfully, that is the only possible conclusion that will bring regional and global peace and security.
Otherwise, the Hundred Years’ War will look like a walk in the park.
Glory to the fighters! Glory to the heroes! Glory to Ukraine!

Zelenskyy Tells Davos Gathering Ukraine needs Tanks to Defeat Russia

N.Y. Daily News earlier in the tragedy.

With images of russia’s brutal murder of 45 innocent Ukrainian men, women and children in their homes still fresh in people’s minds and the 11-month Russo-Ukraine War raging, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the World Economic Forum that free-world supplies of tanks and air defense systems should be delivered sooner in order to outpace russian attacks.

Tanks and air defense systems are the key arms needed to defeat russian aggression and save Europe.

Zelenskyy, who addressed the elite gathering of world leaders and corporate executives in the Swiss ski resort of Davos on January 18 via video link, called for the world to speed up deliveries of weapons, declaring that Ukraine is standing strong and committed despite daily bloody fighting in eastern Ukraine. However, he said the West has to recognize that “tyranny is outpacing democracies” and urged world leaders to act faster.

“The time the free world uses to think is used by the terrorist state to kill,” Zelenskyy said. “The supplies of Western tanks must outpace another invasion of Russian tanks.”

Ukraine – armed forces, government and people – remains motivated to continue battling the russian invasion, now in its 11th month, and vanquishing the aggressor, he said, but complained that its allies have repeatedly been too “hesitant” to act to confront russia, even if they eventually make the right call.

Zelenskyy did not specifically mention Germany, but Ukraine has repeatedly called on Berlin to send German-manufactured advanced Leopard 2 tanks.

Zelenskyy express pleasure to hear that former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has undergone a significant transformation in his view on Ukrainian membership of NATO. Kissinger, who spoke virtually to the World Economic Forum on January 17, said russia’s invasion shows there is no longer a point to keeping Ukraine out of NATO and membership for Ukraine would be an “appropriate outcome.”
Kissinger’s revised opinion is “very important to put political pressure on russia” to stop its aggression, Zelenskyy said, adding that Kyiv still believes that NATO membership is the best guarantee for its security.

Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska also was doing her part to help promote Ukraine’s case before the world audience. She pressed world leaders and corporate executives in Switzerland to exercise their influence against a russian invasion that is leaving children dying and the world struggling with food insecurity.

As the first anniversary of the war nears, Zelenska said parents in Ukraine are in tears watching doctors trying to save their children, farmers are afraid to return to their fields filled with mines and “we cannot allow a new Chornobyl to happen.”

“What you all have in common is that you are genuinely influential,” Zelenska told attendees. “But there is something that separates you, namely that not all of you use this influence, or sometimes use it in a way that separates you even more.”

As for the Zelenskyy’s point that Ukraine’s membership in NATO is the best guarantee of its security, Prime Minister Sanna Marin of Finland said she hopes the West has learned its lessons on how to deal with russia. If Ukraine had been a NATO member, there would not be a war in the country now, Marin said on January 17 in Davos. She said this was why Finland and Sweden had applied for NATO membership. “We want to become a member of NATO because we don't ever again want war in Finland. We have been at war with russia before,” Marin said.

Kissinger’s epiphany about NATO and Ukraine is a significant development, which, hopefully, will push hesitant countries to actively support Ukraine against russia. Countries that have tanks, armored fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, air defense systems and other military materiel should provide them to Ukraine so Ukrainian soldiers, sailors and pilots can defeat russia and protect Europe.

Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose

There is a perceptible dissonance in the narrative about the latest iteration of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

There are those voices that assert that the russian führer putin, or russia or a combination of both are to blame. Then there are those that claim that russia has significantly changed since its red days so the war is a product of russia’s current aberrant leadership and putin’s megalomaniacal belligerent behavior. And then there are those that say the war is a figment of the anti-russian imagination of Kyiv, the United States and NATO.

Enough intellectual excuses, misinterpretations, explanations and diplomatic gobbledygook.

We have emphatically proclaimed that the Russo-Ukraine War of 2014-23 is another chapter in the historical continuum of Russia’s millennial hatred of Ukraine and Ukrainians extending back to 1169 when the muscovite ruler Andrey Bogoliubskiy sacked Kyiv. It is another bloody chapter in russia’s never ending desire to invade, conquer, subjugate and destroy Ukraine and Ukrainians.

Hard to believe for today’s politicians that such animosity by one faux nation against Ukrainians can impact national, regional and global politics and relations for so long. A Ukrainian victory against Russia or the sudden departure to the afterworld of putin will be a temporary reprieve. The long-term solution will come when what is popularly called Russia or The Russian Federation is decolonized and broken up into independent, individual national or ethnic states.

I recently came across a short poem of four stanzas by Ivan Franko, one of the triumvirate of Ukrainian patriotic poets of the 19th-early 20th centuries who understood who russians actually are. Franko together with Taras Shevchenko and Lesya Ukrayinka promoted Ukrainian national identity and awareness, and warned their brethren about the everlasting mortal dangers of russia, which with weapons, deceit or lies will always seek to achieve its depraved goal.

In his pithy, caustic, acerbic verses written in 1893, Franko presented a genuine rendition of russia’s malicious behavior toward Ukraine and Ukrainians for all times.

Titled “The Rotten Quag,” here is my translation of Franko’s poem.

 

The putrid quag that fills eastern Europe,

covered with thick, green scum,

a petri dish of irrational, stagnant people,

Oh, russia! Wherever you step with your foot –

 

Extortion, lies and tears slither behind you.

Living death blossoms like mold on a wall.

You squeeze and yell “I am bringing freedom!”

You skin us while declaring “I’m bringing culture.”

 

If you’re not flogging us, beating us, exiling us to Siberia,

Then you’re sucking blood from our hearts,

Your quag is choking our hearts and souls.

 

Only snakes and slime grow and strengthen inside of you.

The free spirit must either escape

Or be buried alive in your grave.

 

Check recent newspapers, newsreels and webstreams about Ukraine and russia to confirm Franko’s bitter words, denunciations, predictions and anger written 130 years ago.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Ukrainians are ready to Fight for their Cities, Children, Grandchildren – their Ukraine!

ICYMI – New Year’s greetings of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 310 days after russia invaded Ukraine.

Dear Ukrainians!

This year began on February 24. Without prefaces and preludes. Sharply. Early. At 4 o'clock.

It was dark. It was loud. It was hard for many and scary for some. 311 days have passed. It can still be dark, loud, and complicated for us. But we will definitely never be afraid again. And we'll never be ashamed.

It was our year. Year of Ukraine. Year of Ukrainians.

We woke up on February 24. Into another life. Being another people. Another Ukrainians. The first missiles finally destroyed the labyrinth of illusions. We saw who was who. What friends and enemy are capable of, and most importantly, what we are capable of.

On February 24, millions of us made a choice. Not a white flag, but a blue and yellow flag. Not escaping, but meeting. Meeting the enemy. Resisting and fighting.

The explosions on February 24 stunned us. Since then we have not heard everything. And we don't listen to everyone. We were told: you have no other option but to surrender. We say: we have no other option than to win.

On February 24, we began to create our victory. From many bricks – hundreds of other victories.

We have overcome the panic. We did not run away but united. We have overcome doubts, despair, and fear. We believed in ourselves and in our strength. The Armed Forces of Ukraine. Intelligence. National Guard. SBU. Special Operations Forces. Border guards. Territorial defense forces. Air defense forces. The police. The State Emergency Service. All our defense and security forces. I am proud of you all, our warriors!

This year can be called a year of losses for Ukraine, for the whole of Europe, and the whole world. But it's wrong. We shouldn't say that.

We haven't lost anything. It was taken from us. Ukraine did not lose its sons and daughters – they were taken away by murderers. Ukrainians did not lose their homes – they were destroyed by terrorists. We did not lose our lands – they were occupied by invaders. The world did not lose peace – Russia destroyed it.

This year has struck our hearts. We've cried out all the tears. All the prayers have been yelled. 311 days. We have something to say about every minute. But most of the words are superfluous. They are not needed. No explanations or decorations are needed. Silence is needed to hear. Pauses are needed to realize.

The morning of February 24.

Hostomel. Bucha. Irpin. Borodianka. Kharkiv.
Mriya.

Kramatorsk Station. Toy.

Chernihiv.

Mariupol. Drama Theater. The word "Children" written.

Olenivka.

Odesa. Multi-story building. Girl. Three months old.

Vilniansk. Maternity hospital. Baby. Two days old.

Azovstal.

It's impossible to forget. And it's impossible to forgive. But it's possible to win.

We stood on our feet because there was something that kept us going. Our spirit.

Defense of Kyiv.

Kharkiv.

Mykolaiv.

Chornobayivka.

Snake Island.

HIMARS.

Antonivsky Bridge.

"Cotton" pops.

Crimean Bridge.

Neptune.

Cruiser Moskva.

Russian warship.

Izyum, Balakliya and Kupyansk.

Kherson.

And we pray that there will be Kreminna and Svatove, Melitopol, all of Donbas, Crimea.

We fight and will continue to fight. For the sake of the main word: "victory."

It will be for sure. We are approaching it for 311 days.

We gave it a lot of strength. But at the moment, when it seems that you can't go any further, remember that we have already passed with you.

I want to say to all of you: Ukrainians, you are incredible! See what we have done and what we are doing!

How our soldiers have been smashing this "second army of the world" since the first days.

How our people stopped their equipment and infantry columns.

How an old man used his hands to stop a tank.

How a woman knocked down a drone with a jar of tomatoes.

How enemy tanks, armored personnel carriers, helicopters, shells were stolen during the occupation.

How we fundraised for Shahed hunters, naval drones, armored vehicles, ambulance vehicles and Bayraktar drones in several hours.

How we withstood all threats, shelling, cluster bombs, cruise missiles, darkness and cold.

How we supported each other and the state.

Everyone is important in war.

Who holds a weapon, the steering wheel of a car, the helm of a ship or plane, a scalpel, or a pointer.

Everyone who is behind a laptop, who drives a combine harvester, a train.

Who is at a roadblock and a power plant.

Journalists and diplomats, utility workers and rescuers.

All. Who is working. Studying at a university or school. And even those who are just learning to walk.

All this is for their sake. Our children. Our people. Our country.

There are no small matters in a great war. There are no unnecessary ones. Each of us is a fighter. Each of us is a front. Each of us is the basis of the defense.

We fight as one team – the whole country, all our regions. I admire you all. I want to thank every invincible region of Ukraine.

Kharkiv. Mutilated but unconquered. You proved to the enemy that being close territorially does not mean being close in mind. Kharkiv is a Ukrainian city. The hero city.

Invincible Mykolaiv. Heroically withstands all blows. The city on a wave that overcomes all storms.

Sumy city and the region. You were one of the first to feel the full-scale invasion of the invaders. Sumy region became a bone in their throat for them. Ordinary people made Molotov cocktails, burned enemy columns, took the first prisoners. Sumy region is a force.

Dnipro. The support and reliable rear of our front. You received people, you got the lives of wounded soldiers back. Despite constant barrages, Dnipro lives on.

Odesa. Sunny and friendly, now a fortress. World fortress. Which defends us and which defends the world. Feeds it by sending millions of tons of salvation by sea every day. Because it is Odesa Mama.

Kherson! You are heroic people! You have been under occupation for more than eight months. No news. No communication. Separated from Ukraine.

Thousands of you took part in actions against the rushists. You did not know whether we saw it in Ukraine or knew about it. The occupiers lied to you that Ukraine abandoned you and would not fight for you. But you believed and waited despite everything. The face of Kherson is cut by fragments of shells, but the main thing is that we welcome the New Year free and together under blue and yellow flags. And therefore, we will restore everything, rebuild everything. Just like Chernihiv and Zaporizhzhia, and Kramatorsk, and Bakhmut.

Those that became a refuge for millions of Ukrainians: Rivne, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Vinnytsia. I thank you! Those who receive and transfer millions of tons of aid from Europe and the world: Lviv, Uzhhorod, Chernivtsi, Lutsk. Thank you! Those who accept the evacuation of businesses, enterprises, universities: Khmelnytsky, Zhytomyr, Kropyvnytsky, Poltava, Cherkasy. Thank you!

And those who are waiting for Ukraine. And will wait. Donbas, Luhansk region, Crimea. Thanks to you, our warriors!

And, of course, Kyiv region and the city are our heart, which always beats thanks to you, all our Ukrainians!

We are all one family. One Ukraine.

This is the year when Ukraine changed the world. And the world discovered Ukraine. We were told to surrender. We chose a counterattack! We were told to make concessions and compromises. We are joining the European Union and NATO.

The world heard Ukraine. European Parliament, Bundestag, the UK Parliament, Knesset, the US Congress.

The world felt Ukraine. Ukraine in the media. In the hearts of people. At the top of Google search.

The world saw Ukraine. On the main squares in Toronto, New York, London, Warsaw, Florence, Sydney, and other cities.

Ukrainians surprise. Ukrainians are applauded. Ukrainians inspire.

Is there anything that can scare us? No. Is there anyone who can stop us? No.

Because we are all together.

It is what we are fighting for. One for each other.

The best salute for us is at the warehouses of the occupiers. The best gift is the numbers in the report of the General Staff.

We do not know for sure what the New Year 2023 will bring us. But ready for anything.

New achievements? We will be happy. New hits? We will be steadfast. Continuation of the fight? We will fight. And when we win, we will hug.

Dear Ukrainians!

A few minutes remain until the New Year. I want to wish all of us one thing – victory. And that's the main thing. One wish for all Ukrainians.

Let this year be the year of return. The return of our people. Soldiers – to their families. Prisoners – to their homes. Immigrants – to their Ukraine.

Return of our lands. And the temporarily occupied will become forever free.

Return to normal life. To happy moments without curfew. To earthly joys without air alerts.

The return of what has been stolen from us. The childhood of our children, the peaceful old age of our parents.

So that grandchildren come to visit their grandparents during the holidays. To eat watermelons in Kherson. And the cherry in Melitopol.

So that our cities are free. Our friends are faithful.

And so that our main figure and main success appeared in reports near the figure of 100,000 destroyed enemies, thousands of units of destroyed Russian equipment – it is 603,628 square kilometers. The area of independent Ukraine, as it was since 1991. As it will always be.

May the New Year bring all this. We are ready to fight for it. That's why each of us is here. I'm here. We are here. You are here. Everyone is here. We are all Ukraine.

Glory to Ukraine!

Happy New Year!

Shortly after President Zelenskyy completed greeting the Ukrainian nation, russia shattered the nighttime silence across Ukraine with its first missile attack of 2023.

May God protect Ukraine and Ukrainians!