President Petro Poroshenko has taken part in festivities on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of Odesa’s liberation from fascist invaders. Addressing the attendees, the Head of State has noted that the memorial marathon on the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Second World War had started that day. It will be finished with the celebration of the Day of Victory on May 9.
The President has particularly emphasized the contribution of Ukrainians to the victory of 1945. “According to historians, about 6 million Ukrainian fought in the Red Army. 2072 Ukrainians earned the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Ukrainian pilot Ivan Kozhedub, who shot down 64 German aircrafts, became Hero thrice. Four strategic operational associations were called “Ukrainian fronts”,” Petro Poroshenko said adding that Ukraine and Belarus had found themselves virtually in the center of war of 1941-1945.
“The evidence of tremendous contribution of Ukrainians to the victory over fascism was the recognition of Ukraine as one of the UN founders in 1945 along with the other states,” the President stressed.
The Head of State calls the statements of current Russian authorities that the war could have been won without Ukraine shocking and offensive. “Such words are an insult to the memory of the fallen warriors and a mockery of feelings of the living veterans. The war couldn’t have been won without Ukrainians! There is nothing to discuss! Still, one may argue about whether the war could have been avoided, unless Kremlin had signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact,” Petro Poroshenko said.
The President has particularly noted the heroism of Odesa residents. 14 of them were awarded the title of Hero. “The memory of the war years cannot be erased. Our grandparents, great-grandparents of the generation of the 40s repelled the aggression from the West. Even in terrible dreams they could not imagine that after seventy years of peace, war will burst in the lives of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren… from the East,” Petro Poroshenko said.
“What is the difference between the Anschluss of Austria in 1938 or the occupation of Sudetenland in 1939 and the annexation of Crimea or the attempts to tear away Donbas in 2014?!” the President asked the attendees.
The Head of State has noted significant contribution of Odesa residents to the ATO in the East. “We are defending sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state from the enemy’s encroachment for the first time in 70 years. Worthy of their heroic ancestors’ fame, Odesa residents defend Ukraine in the ranks of the Armed Forces and other military formations,” the President said.
The President has particularly emphasized that a powerful volunteer movement aimed at supporting the army had been organized in Odesa.
The Head of State has also addressed the attendees in Russian. “I am grateful to Odesa and all of you for choosing the united Ukraine, for the loyalty to your country, your people, your civil debt,” Petro Poroshenko noted.
At the suggestion of the President, the attendees have honored the memory of the fallen in the World War II, the ATO and the tragedy of May 2, 2014 with a moment of silence.
The President has presented state awards to liberators of Odesa, ATO participants and volunteers.
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