Today, on May 8th, we commemorate the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation – a day that symbolizes the end of World War II in Europe.
Unfortunately, this year we cannot honor the victims of past wars by simply remembering them, as since February 24th, 2022, russia has carried out a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which is a serious violation of international law and a threat to global peace. This aggression has resulted in a large number of civilian casualties, the destruction of cities and infrastructure, and thousands of people forced to leave their homes and become refugees.
Therefore, today we should honor the memory of all those who perished in war, those who survived it, and those who are fighting for the freedom and security of Ukrainians today. We must remember these victims so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past and to ensure peaceful skies and freedom, for which we pay too high a price. May the values for which our defenders are risking their lives be our common legacy and a reminder of what we can achieve when we unite and help each other on our respective fronts.