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Speech by Valerii Zaluzhnyi on May 9 - The nature of modern warfare is far from what NATO is now operating
Speech by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine (2021–2024) Valerii Zaluzhnyi at the London Defence Conference, May 9, 2025
It is very symbolic to speak today, when the world should celebrate the eightieth anniversary of the end of the war against fascism. But unfortunately, the country that suffered from fascism then, today, having appropriated the joint victory, continues the brutal war. Killing women and children today, just as the fascists did eighty years ago, using the slogans of their propaganda. And on the other hand, the descendants of those who put down their arms by force are doing their best to protect the Ukrainian people. What has happened in this world?
But first of all, I would like to say that we are extremely grateful to you, our partners, because without your help with money and weapons, without political and moral support, of course, I would not be here today. Western assistance helped us not to fall and to survive. Of course, I can confirm that we sometimes had to pay a very high price for every delay. But today, in the year twenty-five, such support is probably not enough. And this is not about the size or timing of this aid, despite the fact that they are still important.
Today I want to speak about the growing threats that continue to destroy the world order. And may soon lead to each of us in this room needing help. All this is happening against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, where it is clear: Ukrainian soldiers are fighting not only with the combined resources of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, but also with their soldiers. Doesn't it seem strange to you that in the 21st century, exactly 80 years after the end of the bloodiest war in human history, a war has been in the very heart of Europe for 11 years? A war that continues to escalate every day, claiming more and more lives. Doesn't that surprise you? What about the world order? Does it even exist?
Here is our experience of world order. But the hardest thing is to explain this to children whose parents died on the real front. It is impossible to explain it to parents who have lost their innocent children. I can also tell you what it's like to talk to mothers who don't even know where their child is and hope for a miracle to the last.
Let's figure out what this "world order" that was before 8 August 2008, meant for Ukraine. I mention that date on purpose. When Russian missiles and shells flew over the heads of Georgian children this world order was supposed to make itself felt. But it stayed silent, watching as one country killed people in another. What happened to the rules that this world order was based on?
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/columns/2025/05/9/7511519/
It is very symbolic to speak today, when the world should celebrate the eightieth anniversary of the end of the war against fascism. But unfortunately, the country that suffered from fascism then, today, having appropriated the joint victory, continues the brutal war. Killing women and children today, just as the fascists did eighty years ago, using the slogans of their propaganda. And on the other hand, the descendants of those who put down their arms by force are doing their best to protect the Ukrainian people. What has happened in this world?
But first of all, I would like to say that we are extremely grateful to you, our partners, because without your help with money and weapons, without political and moral support, of course, I would not be here today. Western assistance helped us not to fall and to survive. Of course, I can confirm that we sometimes had to pay a very high price for every delay. But today, in the year twenty-five, such support is probably not enough. And this is not about the size or timing of this aid, despite the fact that they are still important.
Today I want to speak about the growing threats that continue to destroy the world order. And may soon lead to each of us in this room needing help. All this is happening against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, where it is clear: Ukrainian soldiers are fighting not only with the combined resources of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, but also with their soldiers. Doesn't it seem strange to you that in the 21st century, exactly 80 years after the end of the bloodiest war in human history, a war has been in the very heart of Europe for 11 years? A war that continues to escalate every day, claiming more and more lives. Doesn't that surprise you? What about the world order? Does it even exist?
Here is our experience of world order. But the hardest thing is to explain this to children whose parents died on the real front. It is impossible to explain it to parents who have lost their innocent children. I can also tell you what it's like to talk to mothers who don't even know where their child is and hope for a miracle to the last.
Let's figure out what this "world order" that was before 8 August 2008, meant for Ukraine. I mention that date on purpose. When Russian missiles and shells flew over the heads of Georgian children this world order was supposed to make itself felt. But it stayed silent, watching as one country killed people in another. What happened to the rules that this world order was based on?
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/columns/2025/05/9/7511519/
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