Congratulations of Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk on the Day of Dignity and Freedom
21 November 2022, 10:40
Dear Ukrainians!
Today, on November 21, we celebrate the Day of Dignity and Freedom.
This day was established in 2014 to pay tribute to those who in 2004 and 2013 stood up for the dignity and freedom of the Ukrainian people, which led first to the Orange Revolution and then to the Revolution of Dignity.
It is very important to understand that in 2004, the Ukrainian people stood up to defend not a specific presidential candidate, but to defend their freedom of election the head of state, as well as to defend their dignity, because they did not want to have a twice convicted person imposed by russia, who lost even unfair elections as President.
And in 2014, the Ukrainian people defended not only the European vector of development. They defended the freedom to choose their own destiny, regardless of russia’s opinion, and their dignity, because dignified people cannot allow the authorities to mock their children just because they publicly expressed disagreement with them.
The same will be true in 2022. Today, the Ukrainian people are defending not only their freedom and dignity from russia. Ukraine has become a shield for all other nations that understand the value of democracy and human rights and freedoms.
Today, freedom and dignity are not just fundamental values, they are the watershed that exists between the civilized world, which Ukraine represents, and authoritarian regimes represented by the russian federation, which are trying to break the rules of international coexistence and return to the “war of all against all”.
It is freedom and dignity that distinguish us, Ukrainians, from the savage behaviour of russia and russians, their crimes against humanity and intentions to commit genocide of an entire people, exposing other countries to hunger and cold.
Our love of freedom, victory and dignified behaviour, even in relations with the aggressor, tells everyone that this is not just a struggle of Ukraine against russia. This is the struggle of light against darkness, good against evil.
That is why we are supported by the whole world, and they are supported by a handful of authoritarian dictators. Our President participates in the Summit of 20 most powerful countries, and their Foreign Minister runs away from the same Summit in disgrace. And even the UN General Assembly for the first time in history adopts a resolution recognizing the need to create special mechanisms to compensate Ukraine for the losses caused by russian aggression.
I am deeply convinced that, as in 2004 and 2013, Ukraine will once again defend its freedom and dignity, but this time forever. And after our victory, we will finally be able to live peacefully in a peaceful state.
Glory to Ukraine!