Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on celebrating Europe Day on May 9 instead of Victory Day. This was reported on the website of the head of state’s office.
“Many years ago, a tradition was established on our continent to celebrate Europe Day on May 9 in order to achieve peace and unity. Today, unity on our continent brings us closer to celebrating the first day of our peace. And it will be right to celebrate Europe Day with all of free Europe,” Zelenskyy said in a statement.
The Ukrainian leader noted that this decision was taken “in order to strengthen the unity of the peoples of Europe”, as well as “to ensure peace, security and stability on the European continent”. Zelenskyy clarified that Europe Day is celebrated annually on May 9 in EU countries.
“Together with all of free Europe, on May 9, we will celebrate Europe Day in Ukraine. A united Europe, which must and will be based on peace. Our Europe, of which Ukraine has always been, is and will be “, he pointed out.
Zelenskyy added that today, “just like 80 years ago, Ukraine is fighting against total evil <…> for the future – both his own and all of Europe”.
In addition, the President of Ukraine submitted a bill to the Verkhovna Rada, according to which May 8 will be celebrated as the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War of 1939-1945.
“We are giving back to our state an honest history without ideological mixtures. It is on May 8 that most of the people of the world remember the greatness of the victory over Nazism. On May 8, the world honors the memory of those whose lives have been swept away by war. It was on May 8 that the act of unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht came into force,” the head of state said in a statement.
If the Verkhovna Rada supports Zelenskyy’s bill, the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II will be celebrated in Ukraine from May 8, 2024, Strana clarifies.
Since 2015, May 8 in Ukraine has been celebrated as the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation. On this day, the main official events dedicated to the victory over Nazism in World War II are held in the country. At the same time, Victory Day, celebrated on May 9, remains among Ukrainian national holidays.
How the Russian-Ukrainian military conflict affected the attitude towards the Great Patriotic War in Ukraine itself and in other countries of the world, read in the material of Russian media.
Read the Latest Ukraine War News on The Eastern Herald.
