Ukraine marks Independence Day, 6 months since Russian invasion
Lviv, Ukraine, Aug 24 (EFE).- Ukraine on Wednesday marked both the 31st anniversary since it broke away from the Soviet Union and six months since Russia launched its invasion.
“On February 24, entire Ukraine heard explosions and gunshots. And on August 24, it wasn’t supposed to hear the words ‘Happy Independence Day,’” Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address.
“On February 24, we were told: you have no chance. On August 24, we say: Happy Independence Day, Ukraine!” he added.
Zelenskyy pointed out: “during these six months, we changed history, changed the world and changed ourselves. Now we know for sure who is really our brother and friend, and who is not even a casual acquaintance.
“The whole world learned who Ukrainians are. What Ukraine is. No one will say about it anymore: it is somewhere over there, near Russia.”
The Ukrainian leader explained that his country did not have HIMARS rockets at the start of the invasion but “we had people willing to stop tanks with their bare hands.
“They were not ready to close the sky for us, but we had people willing to cover their native land with themselves.”
Zelenskyy continued to say that Ukraine revitalized the whole continent of Europe.
“Europe takes to the squares. Europe introduces tough sanctions. Europe unanimously recognizes that Ukraine is a future member of the European Union,” he said.EFE
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