Dear donors, in this challenging time for Ukraine and all Ukrainians, we feel it is important to share with you the heartfelt address delivered by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “There comes a moment in the life of every nation when everyone needs to talk things through. Honestly. Calmly. Without speculation, rumors, gossip, without anything extra. Just as things are. Just as I’ve always tried to speak to you. Right now is one of the hardest moments in our history. Right now, Ukraine is under some of the heaviest pressure yet. Right now, Ukraine may find itself facing a very tough choice. Either the loss of our dignity or the risk of losing a key partner. Either the difficult 28 points, or an extremely hard winter – the hardest yet – and the dangers that follow. A life without freedom, without dignity, without justice. And that we trust someone who has already attacked us twice. They will expect an answer from us. Though the truth is, I already gave that answer. On May 20, 2019, when taking an oath of loyalty to Ukraine, I notably said: “I, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, elected by the will of the people as President of Ukraine, pledge with all my actions to defend the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, to uphold the rights and freedoms of its citizens, to abide by the Constitution and the laws of Ukraine, to fulfil my duties in the interests of all my compatriots, and to strengthen Ukraine’s standing in the world.” For me, this is not a protocol formality to check off – it is an oath. And every day, I remain true to every word of it. And I will never betray it. Ukraine’s national interest must be respected. We’re not making loud statements. We will work calmly with the United States and with all our partners. There will be a constructive search for solutions with our main partner. I will lay out the arguments. I will persuade. I will offer alternatives. But one thing is certain: we will not give the enemy reasons to claim that Ukraine doesn’t want peace, that it is sabotaging the process, and that it is Ukraine that is not ready for diplomacy. That will not happen. Ukraine will work fast. Today, on Saturday and Sunday, all next week, and for as long as it takes – 24/7 – I will fight to ensure that, among all the points of the plan, at least two are not overlooked: these are the dignity and freedom of Ukrainians. Because everything else rests on this – our sovereignty, our independence, our land, our people. And Ukraine’s future. We will – and must – do everything so that, as a result, the war ends, but Ukraine does not end, Europe does not end, nor does global peace. I’ve just spoken with Europeans. We count on our European friends who fully understand that Russia is not somewhere far away – it’s right next to the EU’s borders, that Ukraine today is the only shield separating comfortable European life from Putin’s plans. We remember: Europe stood with us. We believe: Europe will stand with us. Ukraine must not live through a déjà vu of February 24, when we felt alone, when no one could stop Russia except our heroic people, who stood like a wall against Putin’s army. And of course it was nice to hear the world say: Ukrainians are incredible; God, how they, Ukrainians, fight; how Ukrainians stand; what titans they are. And it’s true. Absolutely. But Europe and the whole world must also understand another truth: Ukrainians are, first of all, human beings. And for almost four years of full-scale invasion, we have been holding back one of the largest armies on Earth. And we are holding a frontline stretching thousands of kilometers. And our people endure nightly shelling, missile attacks, ballistic missile strikes, and "shahed" strikes. And every day, our people lose their loved ones. And our people desperately want this war to end. Yes, we are made of steel. But any metal, even the strongest, can give way. Remember this. Stand with Ukraine. Stand with our people – and that means stay with dignity and freedom.“
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Couldn't agree more Ian. The latest news regarding Trump wanting information on the social media content of visitors to the US shows that the US and Russia are both sides of the same coin. Whether European leaders will have the balls to support Zelenskyy with more than just words has yet to play out.
ReplyDeleteWe can only wish Geoff. The EU as a group have both a much larger population, and are much wealthier than Russia. WE could do more. Putin though is making alliances in so many ex-colonial countries now that political power may well shift in his favour, especially with the current US government who seem almost complicit in Putin's schemes.
DeleteThe world is rapidly moving towards right wing governments too. I'll touch on this in my next post when I check out a few more details, but none of this helps common people. Only the rich and powerful who seem eternally to crave more and yet more will ever gain from the political direction that the world seems to be taking.
Anyway, that is enough doom and gloom for one reply. Christmas is coming. Eat, drink, be merry, and keep your fingers crossed for a good 2026. Have a good one Geoff. :-)