Following is the text of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s address on the occasion of Ukraine’s Independence Day, August 24. The English-translation below appeared on the Official Website of the President of Ukraine.
Fellow Ukrainians!
My every morning begins with an SMS.
An SMS from the General Staff. Over the past 24 hours there were seven occasions of shelling and two casualties. Figures may vary, but only one figure makes the morning good. Zero. Zero occasions of shelling. Zero casualties.
And let us, first of all, express gratitude to those thanks to whom we can be here today, under the bright sun and clear blue skies. So that our defenders, who are now defending Ukraine in the east, can hear the applause.
Thanks to you, we are celebrating the 28th anniversary of Independence Day today.