Independence Day

Western leaders promised strong support for Ukraine as the war-devastated nation marked its Independence Day on Wednesday, coinciding with the six-month anniversary of the Russian invasion.

The leaders paid tribute to the sacrifices and courage of the Ukrainian citizens, voiced their vote to keep providing Ukraine with weapons, and criticized Moscow for its attack on the adjacent Eastern European country.

In Britain, floral and musical salutes highlighted an event of solidarity as Ukraine celebrated its 1991 announcement of independence from the Soviet Union.

Leaders Tribute

The UK Ministry of Defense tweeted a video of the Scots Guards Band, which generally provides the musical background for the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, serving Ukraine’s winning Eurovision Song Contest entry, “Stefania.”

An arch of sunflowers, Ukraine’s national flower, adorned the doorway to the British prime minister’s Downing Street office. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is shortly to leave office, requested partners to keep providing Ukraine with all the military, humanitarian, economic, and diplomatic aid it requires.

“We will never accept Russia’s annexation of Crimea or some other Ukrainian state,” Boris Johnson said in a Tuesday video delivered to an international summit on Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.

Similar to London, Brussels also wished to dress up for the event. The Belgian city, which is home to the European Union’s foundations, adorned itself in the colours of the Ukrainian national flag. A huge Ukrainian flag was unfolded in the capital’s historic Grand Place.

The US President, Joe Biden, celebrated the day by declaring powerful new military support for Ukraine and mentioned that the day was bittersweet for a lot of Ukrainians, as they continue to suffer. However, they take pride in facing Russia’s persistent attacks.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a video posted on Twitter that “our hearts go out to those who suffered due to Russian war terror with their lives repeatedly, who are hurt and wounded.”

“We cry with those who have lost friends or family members, who have been forced to flee, who have been taken from their cherished homeland or by Russian occupants, who have lost their possessions to Russian bombs, rockets, and artillery shells,” said the chancellor.

Scholz had bitter words for Russia, reprimanding the Kremlin for its backward imperialism and worrying that Ukraine would eradicate the dark shadow of war because it is strong and courageous and because it has allies in Europe and all over the globe.

In a video message supported by words he spoke in Ukrainian, French President Emmanuel Macron said the defense of Ukraine means denying the right to permit international relations to be governed by violence and chaos.

He said Ukraine’s Independence Day is a day of honor. However, in place of legal festivities, we are imagining the dead and the fighters today, of the brave and strong of your people.

In a similar vein, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin stated that Ukrainians were brave and strong. She said, “We support you. We won’t look away.” Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, said that Ukraine provides a lesson that freedom and democracy will always win over violence.

On the half-year anniversary of the invasion, Pope Francis condemned the “insanity” of war and lamented that innocent people on both sides were enduring the consequences.

The pontiff expressed concern about the possibility of a nuclear disaster in Ukraine, referring to the shelling of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. He also attacked those benefiting from the war, particularly arms dealers.

Francis has increased his condemnation of the war, though he rarely accuses Russia or President Vladimir Putin by title, indicating that the Vatican is attempting to maintain a conversation with Moscow.