Please, please stop saying that Ukraine is a corrupt country, because from now, it's not true. We want to change this image.
If there is no Ukrainian strong army, there will be no Ukraine, and that will be the case when everyone will understand... it's not the war in Ukraine, it's the war in Europe. We are defending our country, our land. We are not attacking anyone, because that is immoral.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of a strong defense for national sovereignty and highlights the broader implications of conflict in Ukraine for Europe as a whole.
Volodymyr Zelensky’s quote articulates the critical role of a strong Ukrainian army in ensuring the country’s existence and sovereignty. It underscores the moral stance of Ukraine in this conflict, clarifying that Ukraine is not the aggressor but rather fighting to protect its territory and principles. The quote also serves to frame the conflict as not merely a regional issue but one of significant importance that impacts security and stability across Europe.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about national security, one might reference this quote to emphasize the importance of military readiness.
More from Volodymyr Zelensky
All quotes →I will not agree to go to war in the Donbass. I know there are a lot of hotheads, especially those who hold rallies and say, 'Let's go fight and win it all back!' But at what price? What is the cost? It's another story of lives and land. And I won't do it.
Let's build a country of opportunities, where everybody is equal before the law and where the rules of the game are honest and transparent, and the same for everyone.
When Ukrainians and Israelis speak to each other, each side respects the other.
People don't really believe in words. Or rather, people believe in words only for a stretch of time. Then they start to look for action.
I would never want Ukraine to be a piece on the map, on the chessboard of big global players, so that someone could toss us around, use us as cover, as part of some bargain.
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The more I loved the king, the more I opposed his injustice until his brow fell lowering upon me. He heaped calumny after calumny on my head, and I chose to be driven out rather than to subscribe.
Don’t wait to be hunted to hide, that was always my motto.