Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2022 Statement on the Situation in Ukraine (05/12/2022)

The statement made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 5 December 2022.

Indomitable people of an indomitable country!

The fourth day of this winter is coming to an end. The winter, which will obviously be difficult. But still, it is worth perceiving this winter not as a test, but as time – time that brings us closer to the main thing – to victory. Each of these 90 winter days.

The enemy really hopes to use winter against us: to make winter cold and hardship part of his terror. We have to do everything to endure this winter, no matter how hard it is. And we will endure. To endure this winter is to defend everything.

Russia still has missiles and an advantage in artillery. Yes, but we have something that the occupier does not have and will not have. We defend our home, and that gives us the strongest motivation possible. We fight for freedom, and that always multiplies any force. We defend the truth, and this unites the whole world around Ukraine.

We see happy people when they meet the Ukrainian flag in liberated cities – wherever Ukraine returns. The people, the Armed Forces, all of us return. And this means they are waiting for us wherever there is still an occupation. They are waiting and they believe that Ukraine will return. They are waiting and they know very well: if Russia invades, it will not be forever.

To get through this winter, we have to help each other more than ever and care for each other even more. And please don’t ask if you can help, and how. Just help when you see you can.

To get through the winter, we have to be even more resilient and even more united than ever. There can be no internal conflicts and strife, which can weaken us all, even if someone out there thinks that somehow it will strengthen him personally. We need more interaction than ever. All of Ukraine has to become one big Point of Invincibility and work every day, work every night. The state, business, people – all of us, Ukrainians, all together.

This autumn, a lot was done to strengthen the position of the state and to make the occupier lose. We must do everything so that the same can be said after this winter. Ukrainians worked round the clock to restore normal life after the Russian strikes. And no matter how large-scale the terror of the occupiers was, our desire to restore everything in our home was always even greater. It should continue to be so.

Our defense forces firmly hold positions and even the most difficult directions. How many times have the occupiers planned to capture all of Donbas, to be in Bakhmut… How many times have they already announced new deadlines for their advance, their victories… Our guys are true heroes.

And this is our key task – both for the state and the people – to do everything to support our defense forces, to strengthen our defense forces, to find everything necessary for our defense forces in the world.

I know how difficult it is in Bakhmut, in Donbas. Guys, hold on! I am with you. The people are with you.

In order to carry out this task – to carry it out successfully – we must always support each other, precisely for this. And I thank everyone who helps strengthen Ukraine and who after this winter will definitely be able to say that the approach of our victory is also his or her personal result, a personal achievement.

Glory to all who fight for Ukraine and who work for Ukrainians!

Glory to our strong people!

Glory to Ukraine!