Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sets his own veto from Dublin where he delivered a speech to the Irish parliament following threats from his Russian counterpart before the latter’s meeting with American envoy Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin. The Ukrainian president’s statements about the necessity of respecting his country’s territorial sovereignty come at a time when a 20-point US and European plan to end the war in Ukraine is being promoted. Specifically, Zelensky emphasized that it is important for allied countries to maintain the unity they have shown since 2022, while stressing that Russians treat Ukrainians “as their property, like animals.”
Zelensky thanked Ireland for providing refuge and protection to Ukrainian refugees and for its “unwavering support” for Ukraine.
“Ireland has clearly stood for our independence and for the just end of this war. Thank you for not losing faith in us, just as we do not lose faith that the day will come when we will welcome all our friends to Ukraine in peace,” the Ukrainian president emphasized.
He added that a community of nations “makes peace truly lasting.”
“When you have a real community of nations on your side, you cannot be crushed and your rights can be restored. No one can destroy the world alone, not even Russia, not even with its few friends. No one can lie to the whole world forever, not even Putin. No one can resist everyone else,” Zelensky added.
Zelensky: Russia wants to treat Ukraine as its property
Continuing his speech to the Irish parliament, Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the European unity achieved since 2022 – when Russia began its full-scale invasion – must be protected. “Human memory is often short and attention can be fleeting, so I ask you to remind the world whenever needed that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a criminal and unprovoked act of aggression that demands justice. Russia wants to treat Ukraine as its property and Ukrainians as if they belong in its yard, like animals.”
Zelensky called on the world not to surrender to “amnesia” regarding what has been achieved in terms of resistance against Russia. “Moscow cannot believe it will be rewarded for this war with stolen land and children,” he said.
“Continue to support all efforts to make the tribunal for Russian aggressive actions a reality. So that Russian murderers cannot travel freely in the world as if they have done nothing wrong,” he added.
“The aggressor must be held accountable,” he stressed.
