Zelenskyy says Russia’s actions today will determine Ukraine’s response tomorrow

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russia’s military actions today will shape Ukraine’s response tomorrow, amid continued fighting across several regions of the country.

Speaking on 8 May, the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War, Zelenskyy honoured previous generations of Ukrainians who fought against occupying forces and drew parallels with the current war.

The President said battles for freedom are once again taking place on Ukrainian soil, including in the eastern regions as well as Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Donbas.

Zelenskyy described the conflict as a continuation of the struggle against an aggressor seeking to impose “the order of the last century” on the world.

He stressed that Ukraine intends to preserve its independence and defend its people’s right to live.

Commenting on the frontline situation and new threats from Russia, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had already made its position clear and was prepared to respond proportionately to enemy actions.

“At the moment, many new threats are being heard from Russia. Although we have presented them with a completely logical and understandable position — we will act in the same way,” he said.

Zelenskyy said Russia had begun the day with shelling along the frontline and continued assault activity, including the use of drones.

“Yesterday they carried out even more air strikes. We responded in the same way. Tomorrow depends on what we hear today,” he stated.

The Ukrainian leader also argued that Russian aggression extends beyond Ukraine, claiming Moscow continues to threaten virtually all neighbouring countries and Europe as a whole.

According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian forces are currently defending not only the country’s borders but also the broader principles of security across the European continent.