Address by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman on the occasion of the Day of Mourning and Remembrance of the Victims of War in Ukraine

Dear compatriots!

Today we think back to the time when on June 22, 1941, World War II  broke out in Ukraine  and before September 1, 1939, it began in the territory of Western Ukraine. This horrible  war affected all Ukrainian ethnic territories and lasted from 1939 to 1944 in our territories. Ukraine has lost about 8 million people or every fifth resident. This is one of the biggest losses among all affected countries.

 We, the Ukrainians, will never forget the grievous events of the war injuring almost every Ukrainian family. The  loss of relatives or distant relatives, who died, disappeared or returned  home permanently disabled by injury permeates our days.  The memory of the victims of World War II  will forever remain in the hearts of Ukrainians.

At the beginning of the 21st century, Ukrainians once again defend their homeland from an aggressor who came this morning from the east. Ukraine is suffering unprecedented human and material losses. The families lose their breadwinners almost every day, parents lose children, and children lose parents. This is a new terrible wound for Ukrainians, which will be healed for many decades. The only way to stop this ignominious war is to consolidate the efforts of the international community in order to establish peace and, most importantly, to consolidate our efforts to strengthen and develop the country, because  only through unity and cooperation we will demonstrate our firm and unwavering will.

On this day, I call on all Ukrainians to pay respect to those who defend our country and  future of our children on the eastern borders.

  Sincerely

Prime Minister of Ukraine                                              Volodymyr Groysman