I had business with Putin in the past: You know what we have to do to win in front of this brutal despot.

It says: Victor Yushchenko, former Ukrainian president

Maxim Kurochkin is a playwright. For almost three years, he and 20 Ukrainian dramatists were planning to build the new theater in the heart of Old Kiev. This group wanted to renew the new theater, on a magnificent old structure, planned to make its opening on 12 March.

On February 24, Maxim and his friends woke up under horror bomb alarms. March 12th came and went. Instead of opening the new theater, Maximi is now participating in strategic military exercises for protection from Russian invaders. Instead of a pencil in his hand, he now holds a gun.

It's more than two months when the Russian Army illegally crossed our border. They have so far failed since their first efforts to conquer Ukraine completely. One reason for their failure is that they failed to even predict that they would face a heroic resistance against our sophisticated army but also people like Maximi who, when confronted with the reality of the Russian occupation, chose to take a gun and fight.

Many of these defensive brave men, including my only daughter, who was immediately registered as a volunteer since the war began, have never been in military training or ever been part of a conflict situation.

Stories like these, where young couples have postponed their wedding day to take up arms and join the military and people's efforts to protect the country, or comedians who are helping veterans recover after trauma and then become soldiers themselves, show the invincible spirit of the Ukrainian people.

Some of these defenders of our country did not return alive from battle, unfortunately. Others have been shot to death in places like Butcha, Harkiv, or Maritupolis.

We will never know how many of our citizens were killed until we open mass graves and track underground, under the ruined cities.

While all these stories are shocking when you hear them, that is exactly what we can expect from the cruel Russian armies, led by dictator Vladimir Putin.

My personal story with Putin dates back to 2000, when we were both prime ministers of our countries. Afterward, I competed for president of Ukraine in 2004, and he was campaigning against me. His extreme goals with all his actions against me were becoming clearer; I after winning, thought I should try to keep business reports with him as one of our eastern neighbors. But the Putin I chose to cooperate with no longer exists. He, since then, has become a completely brutal and isolated despot that no opponent can accept.

One of the most powerful weapons we now have against Putin is international support and solidarity. This is something that really bothers him.

You know, as the news of our war prevails in media headlines all over the world, but they dominate global conversations in tens of weeks, interest in the defenders of our territory begins to fade.

Once we get tired of these horror wars, and this is common to all; we've seen this in Syria, we've seen it in Yemen and in our Donbass. But for us in Ukraine, we can't afford to let the feeling of fatigue and fatigue because that way, we risk losing the winner's side. Our power is now more important than ever.

Various news comes from Russia, we hear stories of how Russian troops have begun regrouping and planning attacks again. Now is the time we have to choose to win this war.

We can't do this without outside protection. This war is a defining moment, not just for the history of Ukraine, but for the protection of democracy. This is not just a regional conflict between Ukraine and Russia, it is a struggle against tyranny and imperialism.

Our army continues to need weapons and military assistance from all our allies. And we also need financial assistance to close the big holes this war has opened in our economy.

Our leadership is not only at the front of the war with Russia, but also is struggling hard in the wake of the battle for the security of international offices and institutions so as to find the support of our allies in trying to restore peace and freedom in Ukraine.

At the same time, we have an entire army of volunteers who must continue supporting our defence troops so that they can continue fighting in battle.

Our defenders will continue to fight until final victory is achieved and our supporters will continue to do everything they can to help them.

I firmly believe Ukraine's victory is inevitable. When ordinary Ukrainians are doing everything to fight for their freedom and dignity, victory is the only option.

I look forward to the day when this war is over and Maxim and his colleagues can open their theater and the stage will be for them not for propaganda but for their voices and ideas.

Today, we are fighting for freedom.

Tomorrow, we'll look at our actors playing in their roles these authors who won this war and determined what it means to be Ukrainian. / Victor Yushchenko for The Guardian/ ♪ Dafina Demaku/Periscopi