
“The 22nd day of our struggle, our defense against one of the world’s largest armies is over. Which we make smaller every day. Every day. But it still has numbers, equipment and reserves. We have information that the Russian military is recruiting mercenaries from other countries, trying to deceive as many young people as possible into military service. We know that this will not help them. So now I warn everyone who will try to join the occupiers on our Ukrainian land. This will be the worst decision of your life. Long life is better than the money you are offered for a short one” (Zelensky, 18.03.2022).
Here we are on the 22nd Day of the Russian-Belorussian invasion of Ukraine. His speeches brings inspiration, but also show how the government are working in war-time. President Volodymyr Zelensky is speaking and showing the courage of Ukrainians in the middle of their struggle to defend their nation against their neighbour.
What is striking is how he warns the Russian soldiers and their allies. Because his speaking directly to them. So, that they can know what is awaiting them. That they can met their grave and die in war, which they could have avoided. Since, the Ukrainian President doesn’t want to see their demise, but he has too. If they participate and does take part of the invasion. That is really saying something. Instead of speaking of vengeance… his showing character yet again.
Just read this quotes here:
“Our courageous defenders continue to hold all the key areas that the enemy is pressing. And respond to every attack. To every blow of the occupiers to our peaceful cities, to our people. New Russian conscripts have been taken prisoner. Among them are those who refuse to return to Russia. And there are many who are not even mentioned in Russia. They don’t even try to take them back. Their death notifications have been sent to their families although they are in captivity and alive. All Russians who can hear me now, speak about it. Tell it in Russia. Every mother who knows that her son was sent to war against Ukraine must check where her son is. And especially those who cannot contact their children, who have been told that their children had been killed. And who didn’t receive the bodies. There are phone numbers on the Internet that you can call and find out what is really happening to your children. We did not plan to take thousands of prisoners. We do not need 13 or any number of thousands of dead Russian soldiers. We do not need it. We didn’t want this war. We only want peace. And we want you to love your children more than you fear your authorities” (Zelensky, 18.03.2022).
You know the war is going bad and the Russian government don’t want to show it locally when they are leaving the bodies behind. Since, if the deceased and killed soldiers on the front-line was returned home. The communities of the soldiers, the families and friend across Russia would see the affects of the war. It wouldn’t just be stats, but be consequential to how the society reacts to it. Maybe, Kremlin don’t want that, as it is thing that would backfire and also cause a stir. People would see the death-toll and losses, as every single person has a family and friends. That will wonder what happened to them. Since, they knew that they left for the front and now they have never returned. So with that in mind, this is also a signal of what is going on and could create reactions within Russia. You never know how fathers and mothers of fallen soldiers will react, but it could spark a counter-reaction, which Kremlin cannot control. That’s why they rather leaving the bodies behind… because the Russian authorities wants everything under wraps and not expose the losses after the start of the invasion.
“The occupiers thought they were going to Ukraine, which they had seen before, in 2014-2015. Which they constantly corrupted and which they were not afraid of. But we are different. And this allows us to defend ourselves against a full-scale strike for 22 days already. Everything we have done in a few years. For our defense. For our tactics. For defense tactics, which is not the time to reveal while the war is going on. It is not the time to reveal our tactics of negotiations as well. Negotiations for peace, sovereignty, territorial integrity of our state, our freedom. Working more in silence than on television, radio or Facebook. I think this is right” (Zelensky, 18.03.2022).
Here Zelensky is addressing how the Russians didn’t have the foresight or the idea of how the Ukrainian army would be able to defend itself. It thought strategically that it would be easy and that they could just takeover the Kyiv easily. However, Ukraine has proven to be a hard nut to crack and the Russian armies haven’t found a way to break through. That’s why their assaults are becoming brutal and they want to kill all morale. Since, there weapons, manpower and everything else haven’t succeeded.
These sorts of addresses from Zelensky is important. They will be vital and not only from a PR perspective, but from the sentiment of the head of state. As he sets the tone and shows heart in the middle of conflict. His proving his leadership qualities and also an orator in a time of need, which shows the bravery and the heroic spirit of Ukraine. As they continuing to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity. Peace.











