A sick old man from Red Square, who constantly threatens everyone with the red button, will not dictate [ of Ukraine], because only Ukraine and Ukrainians will determine how to live, what path to take and what choices to make. That's how independence works.
This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day, August 24. Zelensky pointed out that Vladimir Putin wanted to turn Ukraine into a buffer zone, but instead turned Russia into a buffer federation. Here are highlights from his speech:
He who wished misfortune on our land will find it in his own home. Whoever wants to sow evil in our land will reap the fruits in his own territory. This is not prophecy, not blind vengeance... this is justice. Boomerang for evil.
913 days ago, Russia unleashed a war against us. It violated not only our sovereign boundaries, but also the boundaries of cruelty and common sense. Russia endlessly sought one thing: to destroy us. Instead, today we celebrate our independence day for the 33rd time. They [the Russian aggressors] know that sooner or later a Ukrainian response will reach every point of the Russian Federation, which is a source of danger to the life of our country and our people.
The eyes of their boss see the whole world as a gray area. But we will not allow Ukrainian land to become a gray area because blue and yellow are flying over it. A sick old man from Red Square, constantly threatening everyone with the red button, will not dictate to us [how to live]. Only Ukraine and Ukrainians will determine how to live, what path to take and what choices to make. Because that's how independence works.