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Western leaders and ambassadors congratulate Ukraine on Independence Day

Leaders of Western countries, members of governments and ambassadors continue to publish congratulations to Ukraine on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of independence. This is reported by "European Pravda". Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Foreign Minister Kaspar Veldkamp and Defense Minister Ruben Breckelmans wrote congratulations from the Netherlands. "Your struggle shows that independence cannot be taken for granted. It is something worth fighting for. But no one can do it alone. And you don't have to do it alone. Ukraine can count on the Netherlands. Not just today, but every day," said Dick Shoof. The video greeting was recorded by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The day before, the building of the European Commission was illuminated with the colors of the Ukrainian flag. "Europe will always be on the side of Ukraine, because Ukraine is Europe. Your freedom is our freedom. Our security is our security," she said. https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1827233285237321880 "Ukrainians know better than anyone that they need to fight for their values. Ukrainians have been resisting Russian aggression for 10 years, defending not only the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, but also our common European values. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Ukraine and Ukrainians have been defending the freedom of all of us. Freedom countries to decide for themselves, the freedom of people to live and decide who they are," said EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Maternova in her greeting. "33 years ago, the Ukrainian people chose independence from the USSR. Now Ukraine is a sovereign state fighting Russia's attempts to destroy its national and cultural identity. Britain will help Ukraine as much as it needs," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom said. "We will support you as long as necessary, whatever the cost - to victory, to a just and lasting peace," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. https://twitter.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1827252738138288612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1827252738138288612%7Ctwgr%5Eae9c9412b5641787a173a5ee7cb392a1a2e1a58b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eurointegration.com.ua%2Fnews%2F2024%2F08%2F24%2F7192735%2F Meanwhile, the British Ministry of Defense urged citizens to publicly write congratulations and words of support for Ukrainians, and Defense Minister John Geely published a column that the Kursk operation proved the realism of Ukraine's victory in the war. "Your struggle for freedom is a hope and a signpost for everyone who values ​​democracy. Moldova is on your side, today and in the future," said the President of Moldova, Maya Sandu. Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radoslav Sikorski, began his greetings with the words "Happy birthday, free Ukraine!". "May your heroic defense of your borders be victorious. Poland is proud to be the first country in the world to recognize your independence. We will continue to support you and look forward to the day when we congratulate you on joining the EU," he wrote. Ambassador of Austria Arad Benkö recorded his video greeting in Ukrainian and quoted the words of Vyacheslav Chornovol that "independence is not only a flag and a coat of arms, but above all self-belief." He wished Ukraine a future in peace and prosperity. "I am convinced that, despite the current challenges, Ukraine is now stronger, more united and more confident in its course than ever before. My congratulations to Ukrainians and Ukraine…Ireland will continue to be with you in partnership and friendship. And we look forward to the day when Ukraine will win this war, rebuild and become a member of the EU," Irish ambassador Theresa Gilley said. Among the first to appear were greetings from the presidents of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, as well as the Latvian Minister of Defense. Polish President Andrzej Duda arrived in Kyiv to take part in the celebrations, and his arrival – contrary to standard security rules during a full-scale war – was announced almost immediately. Read also: 33 years ago, Ukraine was reborn on the maps of the world, and today Ukraine wins the hearts of the entire world, – address by Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the Independence Day of Ukraine The post Western leaders and ambassadors congratulate Ukraine on Independence Day appeared first on Freedom.