By Burc Eruygur
ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukraine on Wednesday marked the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II, which commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.
The day is celebrated for the first time since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law in June last year, officially designating May 8 as the date of the holiday.
The law establishing the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II was approved by Ukraine’s parliament, Verkhovna Rada, on May 29.
Victory Day over Nazism in World War II, celebrated on May 9 by former Soviet states and many other countries such as Russia, commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
In a video address marking the holiday, Zelenskyy said millions of Ukrainians fought to defeat Nazism 80 years ago, and that they are “once again standing up to evil, which reemerged, returned, and wants to destroy us again.”
“The world didn't see the threat, the world slept through the revival of Nazism – at 5 a.m. on February 24, 2022. And today, everyone who remembers World War II and has survived to this day is experiencing deja vu,” he further said, referring to the start of Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said on X that they pay tribute to Ukrainian soldiers who gave their lives to "ensure that wars will never happen again."
“But ‘never again’ has become ‘again’ since Russia unleashed the war against Ukraine. How many more 'agains' can there be?” it said.