Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Independence Day was celebrated on Thursday by Ukraine’s “free people” as the country enters the 19th month of the Russian invasion.
“The great people of the great Ukraine are celebrating a great day today: Independence Day! The celebration of a free people. The party of strong people. The party of worthy people. The party of equal people,” Zelensky declared in a video marking the 32 years of the country’s independence.
Happy Ukrainian Independence Day!
The day of the free, the strong and the worthy. The day of equals. Ukrainian men and women. Throughout our country.
In this fight, everyone counts. Because the battle is about something that matters to everyone.
An independent Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/tUYTsn3TrE
– Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 24, 2023
The Ukrainian president successively thanked the soldiers, their families, the teaching staff, doctors, nurses and everyone who helps “defend Ukraine” against Russian aggression.
Independence was declared in the parliament of Kyiv on August 24, 1991, a few days after the attempted coup in Russia (August 19, 1991).
Poland and Canada were the first countries to recognize Ukraine’s independence on December 2, 1991.
Later that same day, then-Russian President Boris Yeltsin recognizes the Ukrainian nation’s independence.
The celebration of the 32nd anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence Day will take place just like last year, without the usual parade and without crowds in the streets, due to the risk of Russian bombing.
Ukraine was first invaded by Russia in 2014 and February 2022, in a large-scale military campaign that continues today.
Several heads of state and representatives of countries that support Ukraine will be present at the festivities today.
This year, Russian tanks and carcasses of combat vehicles captured by Ukrainian troops will be displayed on Kiev’s main street.
Santos Silva praises the “resilience” of the Ukrainians
The President of the Assembly of the Republic, Augusto Santos Silva, on the social network X, praised the “resilience and courage” of the Ukrainians who today mark the 32 years of independence in the context of military aggression from Russia.
“Today, Ukraine’s Independence Day, I praise and salute the example of resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people in the continued defense of independence, freedom and European values. Only this defense guarantees peace. Long live Ukraine!” he declared.
Today, Independence Day #UkraineI praise and salute the example of resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people in the continued defense of independence, freedom and European values. Only this defense guarantees peace. Long live Ukraine! pic.twitter.com/YwV3QQMWwL
– Augusto Santos Silva (@ASantosSilvaPAR) August 24, 2023
Source: DN
