We Don’t Want Russia Without Fuel, We Want Ukraine Without War, Zelenksy Says

President Volodymyr Zelensky used his Ukrainian Statehood Day address to outline his vision for the country’s future, saying that Kyiv’s ultimate objective is not simply weakening Russia, but securing a lasting peace and a Ukraine fully integrated into Europe.

“Our main goal is not Russia without gasoline, but Ukraine without Russia, Ukraine without war, Ukraine with Europe, and Ukraine and Europe without the Moscow threat,” Zelensky said on Wednesday, during celebrations marking Ukrainian Statehood Day and the Day of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus-Ukraine.

The president said Ukraine’s thousand-year history demonstrates its resilience and determination to remain free and independent, stressing that the country is focused not only on preserving its past but on building a secure future.

“We are proud that throughout the full-scale war, the world has seen Ukraine’s thousand-year character. We are not focused only on the history that was. We are building the history of the Ukraine that will be – a capable state with independence that is guaranteed.”

Highlighting advances in Ukraine’s defense industry, Zelensky announced that Ukraine and its European partners have launched the FREYJA project to develop a joint anti-ballistic missile shield.

“We will do everything possible to build a European anti-ballistic missile shield by bringing together the continent’s capabilities, so that dictators cannot dictate how free Europeans should live, and the lives of people in Ukraine and across Europe no longer depend on whether Putin and his regime launch ballistic missiles,” he added.

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Germany confirmed that it financed 50,000 drones for Kyiv from the same company that made it.

He also said Ukraine is close to becoming only the third country authorized to produce missiles for the US-made Patriot air defense system, thanking US President Donald Trump for what he called a “historic political decision.”

Zelensky also pointed to Ukraine’s growing long-range strike capabilities, noting that Ukrainian weapons can now reach targets nearly 2,900 kilometers away (1,802 miles).

“Unlike Russia, which wages war against apartment buildings, schools, and churches, Ukraine targets the sources that fund Putin’s war and the tools he uses to kill,” the president said.

He said that some believed modern technology was sending Russia back to the Middle Ages, while others recalled Napoleon’s campaign, when Moscow burned. However, Zelensky added that for Ukraine, what matters is not symbolism, but results.

He reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to joining the EU, saying the opening of accession negotiations reflects that “Ukraine and Europe are one.”

During the ceremony, Zelensky also presented European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with the first-ever Order of Europe, a newly established Ukrainian state award recognizing contributions to the country’s European future.