Zelensky’s Christmas message to Ukrainians: Russia can’t occupy our unity

The Ukrainian President said this in his festive address, Ukrinform reports.

“We mark Christmas in a difficult time. Sadly, not all of us are at home this evening. Sadly, not everyone still has a home. And sadly, not everyone is with us tonight. But despite all the suffering that Russia has brought, it is not capable of occupying or bombing what matters most. That is our Ukrainian heart, our faith in one another, and our unity,” Zelensky said.

And that is why, the President noted, millions of Ukrainians will wait for the first star in the sky tonight — in the skies over Kyiv, Zakarpattia, Odesa, or Kupiansk, wherever they may be. “Ukrainians are together tonight – marking Christmas on the same date, as one big family,” he emphasized.

He also noted that Ukrainians’ dreams are similar these days.

“Today, we all share one dream. And we make one wish – for all of us. ‘May he perish,’ each of us may think to ourselves. But when we turn to God, of course, we ask for something greater. We ask for peace for Ukraine. We fight for it. And we pray for it. And we deserve it,” the President said.

In his address, Zelensky also said that at this time Ukrainians are praying for everyone on the front line – that they return alive. For everyone in captivity – that they come home. For all our fallen heroes who defended Ukraine at the cost of their lives. For everyone whom Russia has driven into occupation and forced to flee. For those who are struggling but have not lost Ukraine within themselves – and therefore Ukraine will never lose them.

“Today we stand shoulder to shoulder. We will not lose our way in the darkness. Whether in person or in our thoughts, we will wish one another well, we will embrace and warm one another, call our parents, kiss our children, hold our loved ones tight – and, of course, remember – remember all our people,” the President stressed.

He wished all Ukrainians a happy holiday, delicious kutia, and peace.

As reported, two years ago, on December 25, 2023, Christians of both Western and Eastern rites in Ukraine celebrated Christmas together for the first time. At that time, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church switched to the Revised Julian calendar.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine