Remembrance Day: Commemorating Victory Over Nazism
On Remembrance Day and the Victory over Nazism, May 8, President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation from Kyiv, emphasizing the "contrast between the celebration at Independence Square and the parade of fear on Red Square".
Source: President on social media
Direct quote: "Today we commemorate the day when 80 years ago heroes fought for our future, ensuring that evil would be defeated, so that it would be "never again". Unfortunately, three years ago history repeated itself, and once again, air raid sirens echoed over Kyiv, as evil returned to our Ukrainian land. On the morning of February 24, the streets of Kyiv were empty – no cars, no people. But now life flourishes here, as you can see. Three years ago, when I recorded my address for Independence Day, Russian military equipment was destroyed right here. That is the only parade that can be held here."
Details: The President remarked that in the capital of the aggressor state, there will be columns of tanks and marching soldiers, with staged performances and faces watching the parade. "We can repeat" is their motto.
"You have repeated. You have repeated all that evil. Ukraine has witnessed it. The whole world has seen it. Tomorrow, those responsible for the mass graves in Bucha will speak of Nazi atrocities. And those who blockaded Leningrad will speak of the blockade of Mariupol. This will be a parade of cynicism. It cannot be called anything else. A parade of bile and lies. As if it was not dozens of allied nations but Putin himself who defeated Nazism. As if he raised the Victory Flag over the Reichstag in Berlin with his own hands. Thank God, Ukraine has broken free from all of this, thank God Ukraine has not forgotten that 80 years ago many nations fought against Nazism", Zelensky noted.
He reminded that over 8 million Ukrainians tragically lost their lives in that struggle, and almost every Ukrainian family now has a hero who fought or is fighting against new evil.
The head of state also spoke about the people's memorial on Independence Square.
"This very important place of remembrance shows why Ukraine is alive and strong, and how our people honor their heroes. Once, there was only a sign, just an A4 sheet, saying: "Place a flag if you know someone killed by Russia". Now, this is a place of popular memory. Every flag, every portrait, every candle represents our gratitude, our respect. And this, you know, is not a monument made by order. It is a human desire to pay tribute to the best of Ukrainians. It is further proof of the chasm between us and evil. For them, the idol is the grandfather on Red Square, who took the lives of millions. For us, the heroes are among us", Zelensky said.
The President emphasized that Russia must radically change, or the world will have to change. Just as the world did 80 years ago, when it became clear to everyone: evil cannot be appeased. It must be fought together.
