'Ukraine will never be forced into compromise. We need a just peace' — Zelenskyy's Independence Day address

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that "Ukraine will never again in history be forced into the shame that the "Russians" call a "compromise"," Report informs referring to The Kyiv Independent.

He made the remark in his address on the occasion of the republic's Independence Day.

"Therefore, Ukraine is heard, Ukraine is counted, Ukraine is listened to. Its place is at the table; it is not told, "Wait outside." It is told, "The decision is yours alone"," he wrote. "Today, both the US and Europe agree: Ukraine has not yet won, but it certainly will not lose. Ukraine has won its independence."

Following the conflict with Russia, it is necessary to ensure a sustainable and lasting peace, which Kyiv will receive along with security guarantees, Zelenskyy emphasized.

"Ukraine does not ask; it offers. Alliance and partnership. The best army in Europe. Advanced defense technologies. Experience of resilience. We say: "We need (to be accepted into) the EU." Yes. But we are needed by it no less. And everyone acknowledges this. And so Ukraine is recognized — not as a poor relative, but as a strong ally," he wrote.