The White Flag Was Not Raised; "Putin Has Lost"

As he stated, on the 1,462nd day of the full-scale war, the Ukrainian people have an undeniable right to say that they have endured in their fight for freedom.

"Our people did not raise a white flag; they defended the blue and yellow flag. And the invaders, who expected to be welcomed here by crowds waving flowers, instead saw lines outside recruitment centers. Our people chose resistance. Our soldiers stood firm, and civilians defended cities and villages, streets and courtyards. Ordinary people, forming human walls, stopped columns of military vehicles and together showed a lost Russia the only true path", Zelenskyy said in an address to Ukrainians published on the president's official website.

He emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin had failed to achieve any of his main objectives - and that Ukrainian statehood has remained unshaken.

"But that is still not enough, we will do more, because Russia, unfortunately, does not stop and wages war by every method against peace, against us, against the people. Putin understands that he is incapable of defeating Ukraine on the battlefield, and the 'second army in the world' is fighting against residential buildings and power plants", Zelenskyy stressed, adding that Ukrainians are enduring the harshest winter in their history along with daily attacks by the Russian military.

Comparing the first days of the war to the current situation, Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine has not only defended its independence but has also prevented Russian forces from breaking the will of the people.

According to him, Putin has strategically lost this war because Ukraine has been preserved, and the authorities and society will do everything possible to restore a just peace.

Massive Destruction and Civilian Casualties

Speaking about the suffering, Zelenskyy mentioned the extensive destruction and civilian casualties in Bucha, Irpin, Borodianka, Hostomel, Mariupol, and Odesa, as well as the devastation of infrastructure, including the Kakhovka Dam and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

He pointed to the importance of international support, recalling that foreign countries, including the United States, member states of the European Union, Canada, Japan, and Australia, have provided Ukraine with military, humanitarian, and political assistance.

"We remember how the first foreign leaders arrived in Ukraine at the beginning of this war... We understood who our true brother and friend is, who was not afraid, did not hesitate, did not stain their name, and did not worry about how to avoid angering Putin. I thank every leader who chose the side of light in history, who chose Ukraine", Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy stated that he hopes someday to personally welcome the President of the United States to Ukraine, so that the American leader can see with their own eyes the struggle of the Ukrainian people, understand the nature of the war, and comprehend why and for whom Ukraine is defending its territorial integrity and independence.

"To understand who the aggressor is here and who must be pressured. That Ukraine is defending life, that it is fighting precisely for that, and that this is not a street fight; it is an attack by a sick state on a sovereign one, and that Putin is this war. He is the cause of its beginning and the obstacle to its end. And it is Russia that must be put in its place to achieve a just peace", Zelenskyy said.

Military Development, Defense Success, and Citizens’ Courage

He also highlighted the development of Ukraine's domestic military industry, including the production of unmanned aerial vehicles, indigenous air defense systems, and modern missile technologies, which, he said, have enabled Ukraine to respond to aggression and protect its cities.

According to Zelenskyy, millions of citizens stand behind the success of Ukraine's defense, their exceptional courage, daily hard work, and resilience.

"This is the great and heroic journey the country has traveled since February 24, 2022, moving closer to victory. Just think: Ukraine has come a long way from the point when we were given 'armored' vehicles to the point where we produce more than 3 million FPV drones annually. From the time when we admired 'Javelins' and 'Bayraktars' to the day when we have our own — 'January', 'Gora', 'Vampire', 'Palianytsia', 'Hell', 'Rut', 'Flamingo'", the Ukrainian leader emphasized.

He noted that what once seemed like fantasy has now become the norm, such as the Patriot, Iris, and NASAMS missile systems, as well as F-16 fighter jets, adding that Ukraine’s own long-range capabilities have also become a reality.

"Few things warm the souls of Ukrainians like footage of enemy military facilities and refineries burning. When it first happened, it was major news. Now it is almost a daily occurrence", Zelenskyy said, stressing that this is not "gloating, but the way justice sounds in Ukrainian".

He stated that Ukraine will not yield to pressure and will continue its fight for independence and peace, emphasizing that the courage, unity, and perseverance of the people are key factors in preserving the state.

Zelenskyy underscored the importance of solidarity and the fight for justice, as well as the active engagement of Ukrainian diplomacy in international forums.

He thanked Ukrainian citizens, soldiers, volunteers, and everyone who, as he said, contributes to preserving Ukraine and its future.