Russian invasion
Zelenskyy thanks compatriots for 50 days of resistance
President of Ukraine Zelenskyy thanked all supporters of Ukraine. Photo: Ukrainian Presidency Press Office/ZUMA Press Wire Service/dpa
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalls the first day of the Russian invasion and stresses that many underestimated the courage of the Ukrainians.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked his compatriots for 50 days of resistance against Russia.
“Thank God, the armed forces of Ukraine and our people – we have defended most of our country,” said Zelenskyy in a video message published on Telegram on the occasion of the 50th day since the start of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. “50 days of our defense is an achievement. An achievement of millions of Ukrainians.»
Zelenskyi said he remembered the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “To put it mildly, nobody was convinced that we would survive.” Many would have advised him to leave the country. “They advised that we surrender de facto to tyranny.” But they didn’t know the Ukrainians and didn’t know how brave they were and how much they valued the freedom “to live the way we want”.
Zelenskyy also thanked all supporters of Ukraine. In the 50 days he saw many political leaders in a different way. He has seen “great generosity” in those who are not rich or determination in those who have not been taken seriously by others. But he also saw politicians behaving as if they had no power.