President urges not to divide Ukrainians into “right” and “wrong”

New Year's greetings from President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky. Photo: YouTube

On the occasion of the celebration of the New Year, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky addressed the people with a congratulation in which he urged not to divide Ukrainians into “right” and “wrong” but to respect each other.

“Our passport does not say 'right' or 'wrong' Ukrainian, there is no line for 'patriot', 'Little Russian', 'vatnik', or 'Bandera'. It says 'a citizen of Ukraine' who has rights and obligations,” the President emphasized.

He drew the attention of the people to the fact that the differences between the residents of Ukraine do not matter.

“Is there little that unites us? We are equally proud of the great Ukrainians. Would we stop respecting them if we knew who Shevchenko or Lesya Ukrainka voted for in the elections? If Skovoroda or Khmelnitsky had different views on NATO? Would it be important for us which Church Kadeniuk and Lobanovsky go to?” Zelensky addressed the people.

The Head of State noted that in the history of Ukraine there are lots of episodes that unite Ukrainians.

“We learned to be a single country sporadically. In the new year, we need to be a single country every day. This should be our national idea. We need to learn to live with respect for the sake of the future of his country. Because we represent it the same way: it is a successful flourishing country where there is no war. The country that has returned its people and its territories,” he said.

The President wished the people to respect each other, to be healthy and live in prosperity.

“And let's remember that to love Ukraine means to love all Ukrainians whatever part of our country they are born,” Zelensky concluded.

Earlier, he emphasized that the government should not interfere in church affairs.

Read also

Patriarch of Jerusalem Meets with President of Turkey

Theophilos III met with Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Constantinople. The following day, back in Jerusalem, Theophilos granted an audience to (among others) Abp. Nathanael of the Ethiopian Church in Jerusalem.

Orthodox Girl's 'Miraculous' Recovery After Being Shot in the Head

Sophia Forchas was shot during the attack on Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis on August 27.

Russia Honors St. Alexander Nevsky with Massive Procession

The procession in St. Petersburg drew over 70,000 participants.

Pat. Bartholomew Meets Pres. Trump at White House

Talks cover global peace, Christians in Middle East, and upcoming papal visit to Turkey.

OCA Chancery Expands Clergy Wives' Ministry

Archpriest Nicholas Solak, Director of the Office of Pastoral Life, emphasized that the restructuring enhances past achievements, ensuring continued growth.

Bartholomew Meets with Latvia's First Gay President, Holds 'Prayer Service' with Lutherans and Catholics

“This visit is important for discussing the situation of the Orthodox community in Latvia," Bartholomew said. "It is also an opportunity to restore historical ties and cooperation with the Patriarchate of Constantinople for the benefit of both believers and society as a whole."