On this Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II, we honour millions of people whose lives were taken by this war, as well as those who defended the world from Nazism.

World War II became one of the most terrible tragedies in human history. Millions of Ukrainians served in various armies of the anti-Hitler coalition and took part in underground resistance, as our land became the site of major battles and immense human suffering. World War II took the lives of more than 8 million Ukrainians.

The year 1945 did not bring lasting peace to Ukraine – in another totalitarian regime, the Soviet Union, repression continued. Today, Ukraine is once again forced to defend its freedom and the security of all Europe against Russian aggression.

The memory of World War II should serve as a call for responsibility and determination to defend a just and lasting peace.