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
In Pasika, Transcarpathia, priest defects to OCU while community remains in UOC
In the village of Paseka in Transcarpathia, believers discussed the future fate of their church.
In Sumy, Presentation Church of UOC damaged by shelling
In the Sumy Eparchy, the walls and fence of the Presentation Church were damaged as a result of shelling, but divine services continue.
Ukraine loses almost 98% of cases at European Court of Human Rights
According to the ECtHR’s 2025 report, nearly all complaints against Ukraine end with findings of human rights violations.
UOC Chancellor on Kyiv Council decision targeting UOC: Obvious lawlessness
Metropolitan Anthony said the document adopted by the Kyiv Regional Council violates the Constitution, interferes with freedom of religion, and exceeds the body’s authority.
In Finland, Constantinopolitan Church hierarch convicted of fraud
A Finnish court found the former archbishop of the Constantinople Patriarchate guilty of manipulating state subsidies and committing financial violations.
His Beatitude: Pure faith is the only path to soul salvation
On the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, the Primate of the UOC urged the faithful not to tailor faith to human reasoning and passions, and reminded them of the significance of the Ecumenical Councils.