Today, on the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II, the Embassy of Ukraine in Slovenia initiated a ceremony to honor the memory of the fallen soldiers who gave their lives in the liberation of European lands from Nazi occupation.

The event was attended by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Slovenia, Petro Beshta, Deputy Mayor of Murska Sobota, Jure Lang, representatives of the Embassies of France, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine in Slovenia, as well as members of the city administration.

Given the ongoing full-scale aggression by russia against Ukraine, this year’s event was held without official speeches or formal protocol elements.

The ceremony took place at the Victory Memorial, dedicated to the memory of soldiers who died during the liberation of the Prekmurje region — among whom were also Ukrainians.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of Ukraine emphasized that millions of Ukrainians fought against Nazism in various armies, in partisan units, and in the underground resistance, saving others from persecution and genocide. The total human losses of the Ukrainian people during the war amounted to approximately eight million — five million civilians and three million military personnel.

Ukrainian soldiers, including those serving in the 3rd Ukrainian Front of the Soviet army, actively participated in the liberation of then-Yugoslavia from fascist occupation, fighting shoulder to shoulder with Slovenian partisans.

No country has the exclusive right to claim victory over Nazism, as that victory was the result of the tremendous efforts of dozens of nations and hundreds of peoples.

The Day of Remembrance and Victory reminds us all of the importance of peace, the need for unity in the face of threats, and the responsibility each of us bears for a future without war.

We remember. We prevail.