'I congratulate you on your Independence Day': Zelenskyy wishes the US a 'Happy Fourth of July'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday wished the United States of America a "Happy Fourth of July" and credited the country for achieving two-hundred-forty-seven years of autonomy. Zelenskyy's gracious address came as Ukraine conducts a massive counter-offensive operation against Russian President Vladimir Putin's attritional invasion, which has slogged into its seventeenth month.

Transcript:

Dear Americans, I congratulate you on the best day that life can bestow on any nation that throws up for freedom. I congratulate you on your Independence Day.

Only the brave gain independence and only the best of the brave are able to pass the freedom from generation to generation, to pass it by expanding its limits, the limits of how each person lives, each community and the entire country are protected, and to pass it by growing hope, hope for others on Earth, that they too will be able to become free, and that their freedom will also become a precious legacy for their children and grandchildren.

For almost two-and-a-half centuries, America has been the 'land of the free and the home of the brave' attracting people from all over the world who are looking for more and striving for the better. And although there is no path without mistakes, the USA gave and still gives a powerful dream that while the darkness of lawlessness now reigns, freedom will one day shine.

It is an honor for us to be an ally of such dreams, such courage, and such freedom.

Dear Americans, Ukrainian bravery masters, American weapons, and secures democracy, which we value equally. Ukrainian love of freedom with your support has ignited a new powerful flame of liberty in our part of Europe which will not go out and will ensure that tyranny will never again pass through Europe, and therefore, Europe will not need your soldiers' participation in the bloody battle for freedom and the Ukrainian dream of leaving freely when it is crowned with victory in the brutal and unprovoked war unleashed by Russia, will give fresh energy to the American leadership.

The world clearly sees now the one who stands with Ukraine stands for freedom, and after our victory, the world will be convinced again: the one who values freedom always wins.

Happy Fourth of July America, and please remember that in the coalition of the free and the brave, you can always count on Ukraine as your ally.

Slava Ukraine.

Watch Zelenskyy's full remarks below or at this link.

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