President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte took part in the VIII International Veterans Forum “Ukraine. Veterans. Security.” The event is traditionally held on the eve of Ukraine’s Independence Day.
The Head of State thanked all those who have defended and continue to defend Ukraine and its independence.
The President emphasized that Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that this war for independence ends as soon as possible and, most importantly, with real security for future generations, justly and with respect for Ukrainian defenders and all citizens.
“The key to this is security guarantees, which we are currently working on together with our partners. I am confident this will happen. And it will be based on our strong army, and therefore on your experience and combat results,” the Head of State said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that veterans must know and feel how much all of Ukraine owes them and how important they are to the country.
The Head of State called on everyone to remember the Ukrainians who gave their lives for all of us. The memory of the fallen warriors was honored with a minute of silence.
Mark Rutte noted that it is a privilege for him to honor Ukraine’s defenders, who, all these years, have been defending everything they hold dear.
“We stood with you from the beginning, and we stand with you now, and we will stand with you throughout the challenges ahead. NATO allies and partners have provided unprecedented military support to Ukraine, including air defenses, ammunition, armored vehicles, and fighter jets,” he said.
The NATO Secretary General also noted that the Alliance cooperates with Ukraine to support veterans, their psychological rehabilitation, and the establishment of rehabilitation centers. According to him, the experience of Ukrainian warriors will be of enormous importance during the transformation of transatlantic defense approaches.
The President of Ukraine, together with Mark Rutte, presented state awards to Ukrainian warriors.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the Order of the Golden Star to the family of the late Hero of Ukraine, Maksym “Dali” Kryvtsov. He volunteered for the front in 2014. During the ATO and JFO, he participated in the defense of Pisky and Avdiivka. After demobilization, he worked at the ATO/JFO Rehabilitation Center “YARMIZ” and Veteran Hub. After the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, serving as a Special Operations Forces machine gunner: engaging directly with the enemy, participating in assaults, and conducting raids behind enemy lines at various sectors of the front. In 2023, his poetry collection “Poems from the Loophole” was published. Maksym Kryvtsov was killed last year, on January 7, in the Kharkiv region due to a Russian mortar attack. He was awarded the Ulas Samchuk Literary Prize (posthumously).
The Head of State also awarded defenders with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, III class, of Merit, III class, “For Courage,” I and III classes, and the Medal “For Military Service to Ukraine.”
