Ambassador of Ukraine to Azerbaijan Vladyslav Kanevskyi has written an article dedicated to the Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War on May 8-9.
Report presents the following article:
“May 8-9 is approaching. In many countries of the world, these are the Days of Remembrance and Reconciliation, dedicated to the victims of World War II.
Traditionally on this day, solemn, memorial and educational events are held in Ukraine in order to worthy honoring the feat of the Ukrainian people and their significant contribution to the victory of the anti-Hitler coalition in World War II, as well as expressing respect to all the soldiers who fought against Nazism.
Under the slogan “1939-1945. We remember. We win” on this day we honor the memory of heroes, as well as victims of war, war crimes and deportations. This is a kind of reminder for everyone how high the cost of the war was: millions of dead on the battlefield, tortured in concentration camps and at forced labor, broken human destinies and the indescribable pain of many peoples over the decades.
On the territory of Ukraine, this terrible war did not stop for 1,225 days - from June 22, 1941 to October 28, 1944. Bloody battles were fought all over the territory of modern Ukraine, since it was here that the fate of Europe was decided. The total losses during the war, according to various sources, ranged from 50 to 75 million people, of which approximately 8 to 10 million were Ukrainians.
The days of remembrance and reconciliation do not symbolize the triumph of the victors over the vanquished. This is a reminder of the terrible misfortune of the 20th century in order to appreciate the world, and so that our memory protects against the occurrence of such tragedies.
At the same time, this goes against the current policy of Russia, which is trying to appropriate the overall victory and is hiding behind the moral authority of the winner in World War II in order to justify its modern aggressive policy.
Using this narrative, Russia unleashed a full-scale and bloody war against Ukraine.
We didn’t want this war. We have never laid claim to what belonged to someone else, we have never imposed our principles and policies on anyone. We lived peacefully, built our country, invested in the future of our children.
Peaceful creation and love for the native land is what is embedded in the genetic code of our nation. As well as the eternal dream of Ukrainians - to be masters in their own home.
All this inspires us to fight the aggressor. This gives additional strength and inspiration to selflessly defend our native land and give a worthy rebuff to the enemy.
We understand that the very existence of the Ukrainian nation is at stake today. That is why every Ukrainian heart beats with the hope of winning this war. This will be our common victory!”