‘We are all proud of you’: Ukrainian president addresses soldiers in capital Kyiv

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that they are all proud of the troops fighting to protect the country in the front, as the country marks the first full year of the war between Moscow and Kyiv.

"I appeal to you, the Ukrainian soldier! I turn to you, savior of Ukrainians! I appeal to you, assistant of the state! … I want to say to all of you who fight for Ukraine and who live in Ukraine. ... I want to say: I am proud of you! We are all proud of you,” Zelenskyy said during an address to Ukrainian soldiers at the Sophia Square in the capital Kyiv.

Zelenskyy further expressed his gratitude to the soldiers that are currently fighting for Ukraine, noting that they are helping Ukraine overcome its challenges and bring victory closer.

"Glory to heroes! We say these words every time we respond to our national motto. ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ - and we hear the mention of those thanks to whom our state lives. This is how the millennia of our history and the years of our war for independence sound. This is how we honor the generation of those who fought so that the blue-yellow flag of our people would fly in free Kyiv and everywhere in free Ukraine," he said.

During the ceremony, Zelenskyy also awarded medals to various military and non-military personnel and presented battle flags to different brigades of the Ukrainian military.

"It is up to you whether to be for all of us or to be for Ukraine. Every day depends! Hourly! It is from you, Ukrainian warrior! Our most important person, who stands and thanks to whom millions of Ukrainians stand. Which endures and thanks to which Ukraine endures! Thanks to which ‘Glory to Ukraine’ will be heard forever,” he added.

The ceremony was attended by head of the Ukrainian parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, head of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov, and also by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who arrived in Kyiv earlier in the day.

“Exactly one year ago, Poland was one of the first to come to Ukraine's aid. Today, the Polish people continue to stand side by side with Ukrainians. I am grateful to Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki for his visit to Kyiv on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Russia,” Shmyhal said in a message on Telegram.

Morawiecki later visited a hospital in Kyiv with Zelenskyy, where Ukrainian soldiers are undergoing treatment after being wounded in conflict, according to a Telegram message by the president.