© picture alliance / photothek.de | Felix Zahn
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is celebrating Europe Day today "not in a formal way or with empty slogans," but rather from the realization that Ukraine is an "inseparable part of the European family.
"Europe Day" is celebrated on May 9: after all, on May 9, 1950, the Schuman Declaration was signed, the first major initiative for European cooperation and unity, which would form the basis for the European Union as we know it today.
The day is also celebrated in Ukraine, which wants to join the EU: "Ukraine celebrates this day not in a formal way or with empty slogans, but from the full awareness that we are already an inseparable part of the European family," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X. "We defend Ukraine, our independence, our future, and with that we in Ukraine defend our Europe. A Europe of which Ukraine has always been and will always be a part."
Zelensky also mentioned the Union's support to Ukrainians since the beginning of the war between Ukraine and Russia: "This is not charity, but a choice made by Europeans to be on the same side as the brave and the strong, the Ukrainians who today are fighting for peace and real protection from tyranny, not only for themselves, but for the entire continent."
On this Europe Day, the president of Ukraine also interacted with António Costa, president of the European Council, about "joint efforts for Ukraine's further European integration": "Ukraine will take its place as a full member of the European Union."
Zelensky also spoke of "the right of all European peoples to live as they wish": "Russia will not succeed in breaking or tearing Europe apart. There have been many attempts, but all have failed. And none will succeed."
Picture: © picture alliance / photothek.de | Felix Zahn