Zelenskyy recalls Pokrovsk and Putin's longing for "excitement" in Christmas greetings – video

In his Christmas address to Ukrainians on 24 December, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalled that it was in the city of Pokrovsk, which Russian forces are now approaching, that the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych wrote Shchedryk, known around the world as the Carol of the Bells.

Source: Zelenskyy's video address

Details: In his speech, Zelenskyy also referred to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's recent statement that when everything is calm, Russians long for some "excitement". 

Quote from Zelenskyy: "The divine music composed there and the evil that russia has brought there sharply illustrate the difference between us and them.

We strive to create, while for some, the meaning of life is to sow death. We seek harmony, seek justice – we want peace. All we need is to live peacefully on our own land, to see the sun, our sky, and in it – a Christmas star, not Iranian Shaheds and Russian missiles. But for some, life feels ‘boring and lacks excitement’."

Details: Zelenskyy reminded Ukrainians that this is the second year in which the whole country has celebrated Christmas on the same date. [Last year the Orthodox Church of Ukraine moved the date of Christmas from 7 January to 25 December – ed.]

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Today we are side by side. And we will not get lost. Whether in person or in our minds, we will greet each other, call our parents, kiss our children, hug our loved ones, and remember those close to us. In person, from afar, or in our hearts, Ukrainians are together today. And as long as we do this, evil has no chance. 

This unity and warmth toward one another are the true spirit of Christmas – the unique atmosphere that we will preserve within ourselves and share with those around us. With everyone we love. With everyone who is so dear to us."

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