We will not save the Kremlin half a million soldiers; we will not let them deceive the world into thinking that Donbas simply needs to be handed over — Zelenskyy

We will not save the Kremlin half a million soldiers; we will not let them seize the initiative and deceive Europe and the entire world into believing that Donbas simply needs to be handed over—and everything will end quickly, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his video address on the occasion of Independence Day, reports UNN.

Details

The head of state emphasized from the outset that official Kyiv would not agree to a scenario in which abandoning Donbas would allegedly lead to a swift end to the war, and would continue strengthening the army and defense.

"putin is stuck in the past. He still views Ukraine as it used to be. One that would keep silent, swallow it, endure it. There is no such Ukraine anywhere. Nowhere. Except in his folders of reports. Our state has long been different. Not an observer, but a player. Not a victim, but a fighter," Zelenskyy said.

The President stressed that Ukraine would not allow russia to impose on its international partners the notion that handing over Donbas could stop the war.

"We will not let them seize the initiative and deceive Europe and the entire world into believing that Donbas simply needs to be handed over—and everything will end quickly. There are no illusions. There is no faith in them. We will not save the Kremlin half a million soldiers," the head of state emphasized.

According to Zelenskyy, russia has repeatedly postponed the deadlines by which it planned to fully seize Donetsk region, and will continue to be forced to do so.

"russia is constantly postponing the dates when it is supposedly about to—and definitely will—capture the entire Donetsk region. It will continue postponing them. Ukraine is different. And it does not give away what is its own," the President said.

Zelenskyy also stated that Moscow's actions clearly indicate an intention to continue the war and increase the size of the Russian army.

"russia does not want peace; it wants mobilization. Well, we are taking this with a cool head. We are acting. We must strengthen the army and have everything needed to hold the defense. The soldiers must be provided with and equipped with everything necessary so that reinforcements for the enemy army can be turned into fertilizer for our land," he said.

The President added that the Kremlin's calculation on exhausting Ukrainian society was also mistaken.

"putin hopes that we are tired. We know that he is mortal. He never understood us. Now he will not have time to," Zelenskyy concluded.

Separately, on Independence Day, the head of state called on people to assess what Ukraine has already achieved, where it is now, what lies ahead, and what needs to be done to further protect the state.

Let us recall

A little earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy named what ruined the Kremlin chief's plans for Ukraine.