On Independence Day, the President of Ukraine praised the military and other people. Chancellor Scholz and Foreign Minister Baerbock took the opportunity to pledge their support to the country.
On the occasion of the country’s 32nd Independence Day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for unity among Ukrainians in the fight against Russian attackers.
“There are no small things in a great war. Nothing is unimportant. Nobody is unimportant. This applies to people as well as deeds and words,” emphasized the head of state in a video message. He especially thanked soldiers, armaments workers, electricians, journalists, deminers, teachers, doctors and athletes for their commitment and remembered the sacrifices made.
“Everyone who works and who gives work to others is important. Whoever pays taxes that ensure our armed forces, defense, forward movement and future victory,” Zelenskyy stressed.
Scholz and Baerbock assure support
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock used the second Ukrainian national holiday since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression as an opportunity to assure Ukraine of continued support.
Scholz addressed the Ukrainian President Selenskyj directly on the online service X (formerly Twitter): “We stand by your side.” Baerbock said in Berlin that Germany must support Ukraine “with everything we have”.
“Admire your courage and strength”
“Today you celebrate the independence and freedom of your nation. These are exactly the values that your entire country defends in your brave fight against brutal Russian aggression,” Scholz continued. “We admire your courage and strength.”
With regard to the Russian attack on Ukraine in February 2022, Baerbock condemned “one and a half years full of bombing terror, suffering and fear for the people of Ukraine”. She spoke of a time when Russian President Vladimir Putin “trampled the UN Charter.” Germany will continue to support Ukraine “with their right to self-defence, their right to live in peace and freedom”.
Ukraine declared independence on August 24, 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union.