Today in Ukraine is Dignity and Freedom Day. It commemorates the beginning of the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity of 2013, when millions of Ukrainians took to protests to defend the right of the people to determine their own future. Some – at the cost of their own lives.

Today, amid Russia’s full-scale war, Ukrainians continue to protect the same values, at the core of which are dignity and freedom, courage, responsibility, human rights, and democracy.

This day reminds us of the power of unity and solidarity. Moscow has tried for centuries to suppress Ukraine’s will, yet Ukrainians have always risen again to defend their dignity and freedom.

We honour the contributions of generations of Ukrainians who defended the right to live in a free country. And we remember those who gave their lives for this cause.

Today we thank everyone who has defended and continues to defend a free, European future for Ukraine.