Events on the occasion of Statehood Day were held in Kyiv's Mykhaylivska Square. Ukrainians celebrate this holiday for the second time, timed to Baptism of Kyivan Rus Day.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an address in the presence of soldiers, rescuers, law enforcement officers, heads of defence departments, religious leaders and government representatives.
Zelenskyy noted that Russia has no place in Ukraine, and not a trace of it will remain.
The president expressed hope that next year the country will celebrate the day with a victory and noted that more than a thousand years of our statehood indicates that it is necessary to win.
"Not to stop, but to win. Not to bargain, but to win," he said. “One cannot rely on the vagaries of fate, but must win and build such a strong state that its potential and ability to protect and the faith of our people in themselves, weapons in the hands of Ukrainians and the unity of all together guaranteed the preservation of Ukraine's statehood”, the president added.
“We do not believe that the Russian Federation will not want to return with aggression even after we expel the occupiers from the entire land. But the victory of Ukraine must be as any attempts of the enemy to return do not go further of a sick fantasy of madmen with such plans,” emphasised the president.
In addition to the address, Zelenskyy presented state awards to defenders.
On 28 July 2022, Ukraine celebrated Day of Ukrainian Statehood for the first time. Symbolically, this holiday is tied to Baptism of Kyivan Rus Day, which was celebrated on this day for many years.
The holiday was established by a decree of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 24 August 2021, signed during the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.