May 9 will be Europe Day, while May 8 is the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War — Zelenskyy (video)

May 9 will be Europe Day, while May 8 is the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War — Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law on the celebration of Europe Day on May 9. The country’s leader emphasizes that on this day, the Ukrainians celebrate the historical unity of all Europeans who put an end to Nazism and will prevail over Russian fascism.

The president has noted that many years ago, the tradition of celebrating Europe Day on May 9 was established on our continent to mark peace and unity achieved. He said this in his address on the occasion of the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War of 1939–1945.

The address of the President of Ukraine on the occasion of the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War of 1939-1945 (video)

According to the president, today’s unity on the European continent brings us closer to celebrating the first day of our peace. That’s why he is certain that it is appropriate to celebrate Europe Day together with all of free Europe.

"This will be the Day of Europe, which helps us fight in all directions: on the battlefield with weapons and on the diplomatic front — with determination, against missile terror and the winter blackout, in the economy, and on the legal front. This will be the Day of Europe — our ally. Which gives shelter to Ukrainian women and children. Which does not encroach on our sovereignty and does not call into question our right to choose our own national path. Which never calls Ukraine a "fictional" or "artificial" entity. And which gives us its weapons so that we can defend ourselves and it — our Europe!" the president underscored.

Zelenskyy emphasizes that Ukraine is getting back to honest history without ideological admixtures. He added that he submitted a bill to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine proposing that May 8 be the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War of 1939–1945.

"We will never forget the contribution of the Ukrainian people to the victory over Nazism. And we will not allow lies, as if the victory could have taken place without the participation of any country or nation. We destroyed evil together! In the same way that we are now opposing a similar evil together. Unfortunately, evil has returned. Although now it is another aggressor, the goal is the same — enslavement or destruction. Now, as 80 years ago, we rely on the common strength of free nations and know that together with them we will always be part of a free Europe that will not submit to evil. Today, paying tribute to the most important victory of the 20th century, we are all waiting and approaching a new great day — a new victory. Our victory. Victory Day of Ukraine," the president said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s draft law submitted to the Verkhovna Rada proposes to establish May 8 as the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War of 1939–1945.

"It was on May 8, 1945, that the act of unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht entered into force. It is on May 8 that the world honors the memory of all those whose lives were taken by that war. It is pure history, without ideological admixtures. Today, we are returning it to our state," the head of state said.