Russian shelling threatening international community, says Ukraine’s first lady

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska said Thursday Russia's shelling in her country was threatening the entire international community.

In a video message to the Global Soft Power Summit held in London, Zelenska reiterated that Russia has attacked not only Ukraine but "all world principles of peaceful coexistence, human rights."

"Each missile shelling on my country was a threat not only to the lives of Ukrainians but also to the international community. To the value of human rights itself. As a fundamental human right," she added.

However, said the first lady, something remarkable has happened

"Unexpectedly for the aggressor, soft power fought back. Perhaps for the first time in history, it withstood the attack of an entire army and only strengthened."

She went on to say that millions of people in Ukraine and worldwide responded to the Russian war on Ukraine with cooperation, solidarity, support, help, and humanity.

Touching on Ukraine's positive improvement in the global soft power index, Zelenska said that Ukrainian language has become the country's ambassador.

She stated that in all languages, they are telling the truth about what is happening in Ukraine.

"This is why we call the anniversary of the Russian attack in Ukraine differently -- the anniversary of resistance, solidarity, and fortitude. The anniversary of not only armed self-defense but also soft power," she added.

The country’s place in the index has jumped 14 ranks from 51st to 37th in the previous year due to increased familiarity and influence, according to the Global Soft Power Index 2023 that was published on Thursday.