Zelenskyy proposes to establish May 8 as Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II, signs decree on Europe Day

He said this in a video address on May 8.

"Today, I am submitting a bill to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine proposing that May 8 be the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War of 1939-1945," Zelenskyy said.

According to the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, the document provides for changes to the current legislation. Instead of the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, it is proposed to establish the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II of 1939-1945 in Ukraine annually on May 8. The draft law will be considered at the next plenary session. 

The relevant document 9278 is already available on the website of the Verkhovna Rada. 

In addition, Ukraine will celebrate Europe Day on May 9. The President signed the necessary decree.

"Today, I signed the relevant decree, and every year from tomorrow, May 9, we will commemorate our historic unity – the unity of all Europeans who destroyed Nazism and will defeat ruscism," he said.

According to him, it will be the Day of Europe, which has been supporting Ukrainians for nine years of aggression and 439 days of full-scale invasion.

"This will be the Day of Europe, which has supported Ukrainians for all nine years of aggression and 439 days of the full-scale invasion. This will be the Day of Europe, which helps us fight in all directions: on the battlefield with weapons and on the diplomatic front – with determination, against missile terror and the winter blackout, in the economy and on the legal front. This will be the Day of Europe – our ally. Which gives shelter to Ukrainian women and children. Which does not encroach on our sovereignty and does not call into question our right to choose our own national path. Which never calls Ukraine a "fictional" or "artificial" entity. And which gives us its weapons so that we can defend ourselves and it – our Europe!" the address reads.

Many years ago, the tradition of celebrating Europe Day was established on the continent to celebrate the peace and unity achieved. Today, the unity on the continent brings us closer to celebrating the first day of our peace, Zelenskyy said.