WASHINGTON – The presidents of Russia and Ukraine took very different approaches to their New Year’s Eve addresses late Sunday as their countries ushered in another new year under war.
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a long, poetic speech extolling his country’s strength and unity in the face of terrorism, Russia’s Vladimir Putin made no mention of the brutal war he waged nearly two years ago that has so far killed or injured about half a million. army
“The year 2023 will end. One more year of our independence, one more year of our struggle for independence, one more year of war,” said Zelensky. “War for our land, for our freedom, for each other.”
Although Zelensky mentioned the word “war” or “hero” 19 times during his speech, Putin refrained from mentioning the term in his speech, apparently opting instead for warm words.
“I would like to wish all Russian families a happy new year. After all, the history of our great, beautiful and beloved Motherland consists of the history of every family,” he said, adding, “We are one nation, one big family.”
“Happy New Year, friends! Happy 2024!” he added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin made no mention of the war in Ukraine during his New Year’s Eve speech. Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the people of Ukraine on New Year’s Eve, in Kyiv, Ukraine. via REUTERS Ukrainian firefighters work to put out a fire at a museum hit by Russian shelling in Bilogorshche on January 1, 2024. State Emergency Service of Ukraine/AFP via Getty Images
The disturbingly cheerful message from the wartime president came the same day a new Russian law making more men eligible for the military draft took effect.
Russia’s lower house of parliament voted last July to raise the conscription age from 27 to 30 as Putin’s forces have seen hundreds of thousands of casualties.
Although Putin did not mention the new changes to the draft requirements, he did spend some time addressing the Russian military, which he claimed “exhibits the main characteristics of the Russian people – unity, compassion, perseverance.”
“Everyone who is on duty, who is on the front lines fighting for truth and justice, you are our heroes,” he said. “Our hearts are with you. We are proud of you and we admire your courage.”
Putin meets with Russian troops in Moscow on January 1, 2023. Photo by GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Meanwhile, Zelensky made a full 20-minute speech on the conflict, noting that when Russia invaded Ukraine more than 22 months ago, “few believed we would make it through 2022 – let alone [stay] last until 2023.”
“Ukraine is still alive. Ukraine lives. Ukraine fights. Ukraine developed. Ukraine overcomes the path. Ukrainian profit. Ukraine works. Ukraine exists,” he told his fellow countrymen. “And together, this is not a New Year’s miracle, not a fairy tale, not magic – but the merit of each of you.”
Zelensky also thanked his soldiers, saying he was “proud of every Ukrainian hero” for being “brave and courageous in defending themselves.[ing] us,” offers hope for 2024.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presents medals to soldiers in Donetsk region on Dec. 29, 2023. Pool /President of Ukraine/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire
“From the first minute of January 1 until now – even on New Year’s Eve, when Ukrainian heroes are fighting and cannot face weakness – you are holding back an evil that has become greater,” he said. “But it can’t do anything else, because you are fighting in every front and every street of ours, in every house of ours. You are strong.”
“You didn’t give up a single blue-yellow heart. Not even a kilometer from our freedom. It is you. All our fighters. Everyone who proves: Ukrainian people are stronger than evil,” he added.
A house is destroyed in a Russian drone strike in Odesa, Ukraine on January 1, 2024. REUTERS/Nina Liashonok
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
