Zelensky's Response to Putin's Article on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has referred to Kyivan Rus as the mother of Ukrainian history and described the country as the "heir of one of Europe's most powerful medieval states." This statement was made during a congratulatory speech dedicated to the Day of the Baptism of Rus, as reported by RIA Novosti. The congratulatory video was published on his Telegram channel.

According to Zelensky, "The 24 regions of Ukraine and Crimea are the true descendants and heirs of the Old Rus state." He emphasized that there is no need to prove historical claims through papers, works, and articles, stating, "Our proof is not on paper but in metal and stone, not in myths and legends but in our cities and our streets."

Zelensky asserted that distant relatives should not attempt to claim this heritage or seek to prove their participation in a millennium of history while being thousands of kilometers away. It is worth noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin published an article on July 12 regarding the historic unity of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples. After the publication of the article, Zelensky promised to study it thoroughly.