KYIV: As the tide is turning in Ukraine's protracted conflict with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared on Tuesday during a virtual appearance at the annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony that "there will be no third World War."
At the live broadcast of the 80th Golden Globe Awards in Hollywood, Zelenskyy said "During the First World War, millions of people died. Tens of millions of them were killed during the Second World War. There won't be a third World War; there won't be three."
With the cooperation of the free world, he declared, "Ukraine will resist the Russian invasion of our land." Zelenskyy stated that although the Ukrainian war is still ongoing in the year 2023, the tide is beginning to turn. The Ukrainian President added, "And it is already obvious who will win."
Zelenskyy began his speech by pointing out that the awards ceremony was first held in 1943, as World War II was coming to a conclusion and it was evident who would win but there were still some battles to be fought.
"The prizes were created during a unique period. Although the Second World War was far from over, everyone knew who would prevail. Battles and tears remained to be had. It was around this time that the 1943 Golden Globe Awards first arose to celebrate the year's top performances."
He expressed gratitude to those who have fought for Ukraine's liberation, stating that "our united struggle for freedom, democracy, the right to live, and the right to love" is a unifying one. President Zelenskyy predicted victory, to the applause of the crowd.
Then he said, "Together, the entire, free globe and I will succeed, and I sincerely hope that each and every one of you will be there on the day we triumph. Mr. Slava Ukraini"
Sean Penn, an actor, and director who won Academy Awards for his roles in the films "Mystic River" in 2003 and "Milk" in 2008 gave Zelenskyy his introduction. This past November, the "Gaslit" actor travelled to Kyiv, where he was filming a Vice Studios documentary, to meet with Zelenskyy to show his support for the war-torn nation.
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