Today, on May 8, 2023, for Ukraine the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation is more symbolic than ever.

On this day, 78 years ago, the combined forces of the Allies destroyed Hitler's coalition and ended the war started by the National Socialist (Nazi) regime in Germany.

This is not the first time in history when Ukrainian people stand up for freedom, human dignity and the right of people to self-determination. It is not the first time when the Ukrainian land becomes an arena where the future of nations and human civilization is decided.

During the 1939-1945 war, Ukrainian soldiers in the anti-Hitler coalition won victory over the aggressor at the cost of incredible losses and unprecedented heroism. About 3 million soldiers and 5 million civilians - Ukrainians and other peoples who lived in Ukraine, gave their lives for the sake of future generations.

Today, the Ukrainian army is once again forced to defend peace and European values. As it was 78 years ago, Ukraine is resisting the totalitarian regime and the imperial famine, which the leadership of the russian federation is directing against the civilized world. Strikingly reminiscent of the Hitler regime of the 1930s, the leadership of the russian federation plundered all the gains of humanity, made after the Second World War, starting armed aggression against Ukraine and unleashing the first continental war in Europe in the 21st century.

It is possible to destroy peace and the system of collective world security. However, it is impossible for people to forget the lessons of the war, for which a high and bitter price was paid. It is impossible to forget that fear and the lack of decisive consolidated actions of the world community led to a catastrophe and put humanity on the edge of survival.

Today we thank and honor the memory of all those who gave their lives for the victory over the Nazi regime.

Today we thank and bow low to all defenders who stand as an indestructible wall between the evil of totalitarianism and the future of our children.

Today, we call on all Ukraine`s allies and everyone who cares about the world their descendants will live in, to remember the bitter lessons of the World War and together fight back the evil that is trying to raise its head.

Today, May 8, employees of the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria symbolically hang the Ukrainian flag, which has become a symbol of courage and freedom for the world over the past year.

This flag came from the heroic city of Kharkiv and bears the signatures of the soldiers of the 4th battalion of the Slobojan Brigade of the NSU - Heroes who defend the Ukrainian land and the future of the peoples of Europe.

Thank you, all defenders, who stand for our land.

Thank you, all allies and partners of Ukraine, who came to the rescue.

Thank you to everyone, who gave their lives for the bright future of humanity.

Never again.