Zelenskyy says Ukraine fighting for own, Europe's 'future,’ similarly during World War II

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy early Monday said Ukraine is fighting the “evil” for its own "future," as well as Europe’s, just like it did 80 years ago during World War II.

“Together with all of free Europe, we will celebrate Europe Day on May 9 in Ukraine. A united Europe, the basis of which should be and will be peace,” Zelenskyy said during a video address on the occasion of the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II.

Zelenskyy said he signed a relevant decree to commemorate “the unity of all Europeans” who won against Nazism.

“This will be the Day of Europe, which has supported Ukrainians for all nine years of aggression and 439 days of the full-scale invasion (by Russia), … which helps us fight in all directions: on the battlefield with weapons and on the diplomatic front – with determination, against missile terror and the winter blackout, in the economy and on the legal front,” he added.

Zelenskyy also said that while paying tribute to “the most important victory of the 20th century,” they are all waiting and approaching the “Victory Day of Ukraine,” which, he said, they will gain “together with everyone” currently helping Ukraine in its efforts in the ongoing Moscow-Kyiv war.

“We will remember every state and every nation that joined us in the struggle for freedom. We will never say that the victory could have happened without any of them. It will be a joint success, but I am sure that the world will call this day the same – Victory Day of Ukraine,” he added.

Zelenskyy noted that he will be submitting a bill to Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, proposing that May 8 be the “Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War of 1939-1945.”

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.

Last February, a draft law was submitted by Ukrainian lawmakers calling to get "rid of past vestiges" related to the celebration of the Victory Day over Nazism in World War II due to its use by Moscow as "the main ideological justification for its aggression."