Ukraine's Zelenskyy: Kyiv desires peace but will not surrender

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a resolute speech on Ukraine's 35th Independence Day, asserting Kyiv's yearning for peace while firmly rejecting any unconditional surrender to Russia. The commemoration, held in the heart of the capital, Kyiv, was attended by international dignitaries, including British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and European Council President Antonio Costa.

In a video address posted on Telegram, Zelenskyy, dressed in a traditional embroidered shirt, stood before a display of destroyed Russian tanks near St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery. He stated, "Ukraine certainly desires peace, but is not prepared to surrender easily." The president emphasized that Ukraine's refusal to cede further territory in the eastern Donbas region, despite repeated demands from Moscow, was not enough to halt Russian aggression.

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Ukraine certainly desires peace, but is not prepared to surrender easily.

"We will absolutely not allow them (Russian forces) to take the lead, to deceive Europe and the world into thinking that if we give up Donbas, all problems will be over," Zelenskyy declared. He underscored Ukraine's unwavering stance against Russian demands, highlighting that such concessions would not bring an end to the conflict.

Foreign officials, including Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and Estonian President Alar Karis, also arrived in Kyiv to participate in the independence celebrations. Their presence underscored international solidarity with Ukraine as the nation marked 35 years since declaring independence from the Soviet Union amidst an ongoing conflict that has lasted over four years.

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We will absolutely not allow them (Russian forces) to take the lead, to deceive Europe and the world into thinking that if we give up Donbas, all problems will be over.