President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that, when planning the war against Ukraine, Russia calculated its resources, equipment, and supplies, but failed to take into account the main factor – the Ukrainians themselves and their readiness to defend their state. The Head of State said this in an address to citizens on the occasion of Independence Day, UNN reports.
According to Zelenskyy, despite the difficult situation, Ukrainian society is holding together thanks to mutual support, trust, and a sense of unity.
It is truly very difficult for all of us right now, but some force is holding us firmly, hand in hand—one that is, in fact, not invisible at all. It is the force of our mutual circle, of supporting one another, of having no doubts about those who are beside us, and of faith in all Ukrainians. And as long as this circle of ours is not broken by the enemy, Ukraine will not fall and will achieve its peace
Zelenskyy emphasized that Kremlin head Vladimir Putin made a fundamental mistake in his calculations regarding Ukraine.
In all his plans regarding Ukraine, Putin was wrong about the main thing. The enemy counted our resources, warehouses, and equipment, but failed to take the key factor into account – the people
According to the Head of State, Ukrainians themselves are the main achievement of independent Ukraine, as they take responsibility for the state and continue to fight for peace and sovereignty.
"The main achievement of Ukraine's independence is the people who make up our state, who take responsibility, who do not want Russia to be here, and who fight tooth and nail for peace and independence," Zelenskyy said.
The President also said that Russia mistakenly viewed Ukraine as a "younger brother," but the years of war demonstrated the fundamental difference between the two societies.
"Russians considered us a younger brother, but life proved that we are strangers to them. All the traits of our character, everything that makes Ukrainians Ukrainian, are alien to them. They do not know what it is like when hundreds of thousands of volunteers go to defend what is dear to them, and someone who was a teacher, entrepreneur, or farmer becomes a soldier," the Head of State emphasized.
Zelenskyy emphasized that the readiness of Ukrainians to defend their country became one of the factors that destroyed Russia's initial plans regarding Ukraine.
Let us recall
The day before, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about Putin's plans for the war in Ukraine. The President said that Russia was intensifying its strikes and preparing for winter.