Ukraine marks Freedom Day under shadow of war

ISTANBUL

The Ukrainian people are united in order to protect their freedom, independence and nation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday as the country marks its Freedom Day under the shadow of Russia's war.

“Today we celebrate the Day of Dignity and Freedom. A holiday that shows that for us dignity and freedom is a holiday. The answer to the question of who Ukrainians are and what is most important to them,” he said in a statement published by the Ukrainian presidency.

“Everyone saw what kind of people we have! Willing to give the last. Willing to stand to the last. They did not lose dignity. Bravery. Faith in themselves. And they united. In order not to lose freedom. Not to lose independence. Not to lose Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said.

Stating that Ukraine has paid and continues to pay “a very high price for freedom,” Zelenskyy said his country will not forget those who gave their lives for Ukraine and “those who took away their lives and wanted to take away our freedom.”

“The main thing is that no one succeeded and no one will ever succeed,” he added.

Ukraine’s Dignity and Freedom Day commemorates the Orange Revolution, a series of nationwide protests against allegations of electoral fraud during the 2004 presidential elections, and the Maidan Revolution, mass protests which led to the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych, who was widely perceived as a pro-Russian ruler.