Honoring the Heroes in Odesa
Today, May 8th, Odesa commemorates the memory of Ukraine's defenders who gave their lives for our freedom, sovereignty, and independence.
More than ten years ago, Ukraine adopted the tradition of commemorating the victory over Nazism in a European spirit — we do not celebrate but honor those who perished in World War II from 1939 to 1945. The memory of war should lead us not to a cult of victory, but to an appreciation of peace and a firm commitment to defend it by all reasonable means. Today, Ukraine is fighting against Russian aggression, which poses a threat not only to our independence but also to international order and the security of humanity. The only way to restore peace is to defeat the invader.
