
On the 19th Day of the Russian-Belorussian invasion of the Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky speech is as important as can be. His words are inspirational, but also binding. As it says something about the sentiment of what is happening in Ukraine. He says what is needed to be said, as the territory and integrity of the Republic is violated on the regular.
In the beginning of the speech he said:
“As before, the enemy is confused. They did not expect such resistance. They believed in their propaganda, which has been lying about us for decades. They still can’t recollect themselves. But they have already begun to understand that they will not achieve anything by war. Their soldiers know this. Their officers are aware of this. They flee the battlefield. They abandon equipment. We take trophies and use them to protect Ukraine. Today, Russian troops are, in fact, one of the suppliers of equipment to our army. They could not imagine such a thing in a nightmare. And I want to tell the Russian soldiers. Those who have already entered our land. And who are just about to be sent to fight against us. Russian conscripts! Listen to me very carefully. Russian officers! You’ve already understood everything. You will not take anything from Ukraine. You will take lives. There are a lot of you. But your life will also be taken” (Zelensky, 15.03.2022).
Is words are clear and as the one who is defending his nation. We know the Russian Federation and state has made propaganda to make it reasonable to attack Ukraine. This is why the Ukrainian President says these words. He even states that the Russian soldiers are dying for a lie and fighting on a lie. That should hurt he pride of the Russian soldiers and the ones who get to hear this in Kremlin. However, we know they don’t care or value the existence of Ukraine. Still, it is powerful and necessary words nevertheless.
He continues:
“But why should you die? What for? I know that you want to survive. We hear your conversations in the intercepts, we hear what you really think about this senseless war, about this disgrace and about your state. Your conversations with each other. Your calls home to your family. We hear it all. We draw conclusions. We know who you are. Therefore, I offer you a choice. On behalf of the Ukrainian people, I give you a chance. Chance to survive. If you surrender to our forces, we will treat you the way people are supposed to be treated. As people, decently. In a way you were not treated in your army. And in a way your army does not treat ours. Choose! Our brave defenders continue to inflict devastating losses on Russian troops” (Zelensky, 15.03.2022).
The Russian soldiers if they ever get to hear it or reads this speech should be concerned. They should understand how Ukrainians and the how the Ukrainian President looks upon them. He has to speak like this and defend his nation. While he also says … that the conscripts and soldiers can decide their fate. That is really deep knowing how many who has already lost their lives and how fiercely defended its front-lines.
He further stated:
“I am grateful to those Russians who do not stop trying to convey the truth. To those who fight disinformation and tell the truth, real facts to their friends and loved ones. And personally to the woman who entered the studio of Channel One with a poster against the war. To those who are not afraid to protest. As long as your country has not completely closed itself off from the whole world, turning into a very large North Korea, you must fight. You must not lose your chance. The European Union has approved the fourth package of sanctions against Russia. The fourth – and I’m sure not the last. We are working with partners on new restrictions that will be applied against the Russian state. Everyone who is responsible for the war. Everyone who is responsible for the destruction of democracy. Everyone who is responsible for repression against people. Everyone will get an answer. The answer of the world. And this is just the beginning” (Zelensky, 15.03.2022).
You know it is bad in Moscow and Russia when the Ukrainian President can say the way things are looking or reported is getting closer to North Korea. That is really depressing, but maybe the brutal truth. As the media-laws and control from Putin is with an iron-fist. Where the news are manufactured from the central government and nothing else than what they state is the truth. Therefore, it was courage and an act of resistance what the person did at Channel One.
It really says it all and what is at stake, when this brutal and futile war is about democracy versus dictatorship. That is really tragic, but the real deal. As the difference between the one-man rule of Putin and the democratically elected Zelensky. That’s why the battle is more than just a defence of a sovereign nation, but also values, which is shared across Europe. This is why Zelensky and Ukraine aligns itself with Europe and not Moscow.
Finally to support the war-time economy, he said this:
“The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has agreed on a package of decisions to support our economy. So that business works. So that people have jobs. Where security allows. Where people are ready for it. First, we are starting tax reform. Instead of VAT and income tax we give a rate of 2 percent of turnover and simplified accounting. For small businesses – this is the first and second group of sole proprietors – we set a voluntary payment of a single tax. That is, if you can – pay. You can’t – no questions asked. The second is maximum business deregulation. We cancel all inspections for all businesses. So that everyone works normally. So that the cities come to life. So that life continues wherever there is no hostilities. The only condition is that you ensure the normal operation of your business in the framework of Ukrainian law” (Zelensky, 15.03.2022).
This here shows how dire things is and what the war does to the economy. Things are financially not working anymore. That’s why the President and Cabinet of Minister has decided this. It is really a statement when everything is grounded at 2%. Things cannot be stated otherwise. Not that it’s shocking… because a war has consequences and this is one of them. The destruction of society and a nation is evident with taxation like this. While it also shows courage and trust in the citizens, that if they are able they can pay it. The same is happening with the businesses. Just the idea and execution of it all, states how bad things are and how it affects all parts of society. This is the result of the invasion and how it has made the Republic crumble. Because, two things are always certain in life, death and taxes. In war both is present, but the latter isn’t able to implemented like in peaceful times.
Zelensky’s speech is powerful and necessary, it proves a point and shows how poignant he is. He is a voice of reason in the middle of war. It is horrific times and the world needs to listen to him. The Russian soldiers who hears or reads this speech. Should consider it, but I doubt it. They are ordered to be there and wouldn’t mutiny. These would be disgraced and it would have severe consequences. However, it would be better to be charged over a mutiny, than dying over a war waged on a lie. Peace.













