Ukraine War Live Updates: Putin Hails Operation in Ukraine, Claims No Victory

Zelensky Vows Ukraine ‘Will Win’ in Victory Day Speech

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed Ukraine “will win” the war against Russia as he delivered a speech Monday celebrating Victory Day.

“We are proud of our ancestors who, together with other nations in the anti-Hitler coalition, defeated Nazism,” Zelensky said.

Victory Day commemorates the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II; the national holiday is recognized in Russia on May 9. Amid this year’s celebrations, Russia’s invasion continues for a 75th day in neighboring Ukraine.

“On the Day of Victory over Nazism, we are fighting for a new victory,” Zelensky said. “The road to it is difficult, but we have no doubt that we will win.”

“On February 24, Russia launched an offensive,” he continued. “Treading on the same rake. Every occupier who comes to our land treads on it. We have been through different wars. But they all had the same final. Our land was sown with bullets and shells, but no enemy was able to take root here. There are no shackles that can bind our free spirit. There is no occupier who can take root in our free land. There is no invader who can rule over our free people. Sooner or later, we win. Despite the horde, despite Nazism, despite the mixture of the first and the second, which is the current enemy, we win, because this is our land.”

Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin is “repeating the horrific crimes of Hitler’s regime” in Ukraine today. He promised a victory “soon” for Ukraine.

“We do not say “we can repeat,” Zelensky said. “Because only a madman can wish to repeat the 2194 days of war. The one who is repeating the horrific crimes of Hitler’s regime today, following Nazi philosophy, copying everything they did. He is doomed. Because he was cursed by millions of ancestors when he began to imitate their killer. And therefore, he will lose everything.”

“And very soon there will be two Victory Days in Ukraine,” he concluded. “And someone will not have even one left. We won then. We will win now, too!”