In the six years of war killed more than eight million Ukrainians, said the President
President Vladimir Zelensky addressed to Ukrainians on the occasion of Day of memory and reconciliation.
“Dear Ukrainians! Today, in Day of memory and reconciliation, we pay tribute to all who defended the world from Nazism. Defended their native land and died in the Second world war. We celebrate the heroism of the Ukrainian people and its contribution to the victory of anti-Hitler coalition. In the night from 8 to 9 may, we will meet the first moment of peace – the time of the fall and capitulation of the Nazi regime. Just one minute can change the world. You can save him. Or you can destroy. To order on the first attack, the consequence of which will be tens of millions of human lives,” he said
According to him, this day “Ukraine together with the world said, Never again”.
“Never again. Today, the two most important words in the history of humanity and its future. And they can’t become a formality. We all, especially the younger generation, are happy to live in a world where there is respect and equality, where there is no place for xenophobia and racism. And we must not forget what price was paid by our ancestors, that the Ukrainians had the opportunity to live in such a world. And must not forget what we mean when we say “Never again”. This is the terrible memories of war veterans, never again can become a reality,” he said.
“Hunger, bombardment, blockade, mass executions, punitive action, the concentration camps and gas chambers. Never again. Three thousand (half of them children) were burned alive and shot in the village of Kortelisy. Nearly seven thousand were shot and burned in Koryukovka. More than a hundred thousand of those executed at Babi Yar. That’s why we say – never again. That is why we must remember the consequences of hatred, aggression and insane ideology of world domination of one nation”, he added.
The President recalled that over the six years of war killed more than eight million Ukrainians: “during world war II killed one in five Ukrainians”.
“And I don’t know it’s even possible to fully realize these figures. Millions crippled destinies. Millions of scars on the ground in the form of graves. Millions of children who will never hear a parent a bedtime story. Millions of mothers will not take their sons. Millions of homes in which no one will return. Millions of letters have remained unanswered. Millions of books, poems and songs. Millions of unsaid “I love you”. And all this together – billions of reasons for humanity not to happen ever again,” said Zelensky.
The President said that is in the Luhansk region, Melovskoy in the district, near the village of Pivnivka where “in December 1942 the expulsion of Nazi occupiers from Ukrainian lands”.
“Until the end of the war was still far away. But our grandparents from every corner of the country fought against Nazism, defended their native land, and died for their country and won for us. To the next generation of Ukrainians to live freely on their land, in their country in peace and harmony. Today, our brave guys defend the Ukrainian state, our sovereignty and territorial integrity. For the sake of peace, in which we need. For the sake of prosperity of independent Ukraine. For the sake of future generations,” the President said.
According to Zelensky, today we honor the memory of all veterans who opposed the Nazis, all the underground fighters, prisoners of war, Ostarbeiters, prisoners of concentration camps, children of war and everyone who suffered from the Nazi occupation.
“This war has brought a void in our towns and villages, in our families, in our souls and hearts. We can fill that void with a prayer for the souls of the dead and tortured. To fill her with stories to the younger generation about the horrors of the Second world for the repetition of the disaster. View today’s photos of their grandfathers, grandmothers, great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers. Re-read their letters. And without too much pathos and pomp, about yourself, in the shower, just tell them “Thank you.” Believe me, they’ll hear it. And know that we remember. Well, at this place, soon we will restore the symbol of our memory. The memory of all who died for Ukraine. Never again!” – the President said.
Earlier today, the head of the government Denis Shmyhal called on all Ukrainians on the Day of remembrance and reconciliation to honor those who died during the Second world war.
Recall that in 2015 the Verkhovna Rada on the recommendation of the UN, established to celebrate may 8 as the Day of memory and reconciliation.
