#StandWithUkraine

Address by H.E. Ihor Prokopchuk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Romania, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence:
24 august 2026

Dear partners and friends of Ukraine in Romania!

Dragi parteneri și prieteni ai Ucrainei în România!

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence.

Thirty-five years ago, the Ukrainian people made a conscious choice: to live in their own free and sovereign state, to determine their own future, to cherish their language, culture, and history.

Today we celebrate this anniversary in a reality that was imposed upon Ukraine by an aggressive and revanchist neighbour. This neighbour – the russian federation – is not only an existential threat to Ukraine, but also a grave threat to freedom and democratic way of life of all European nations.

For the fifth consecutive year, Ukraine is marking the national holiday amidst the ongoing brutal war of aggression, unleashed by russia. Cities and villages, residential buildings, energy facilities, and other civilian infrastructure are ravaged by daily attacks. Civilians are constantly targeted and terrorised, getting killed and wounded.

Today, we salute and pay the highest respect to the Ukrainian soldiers who courageously defend Ukraine’s statehood and independence! We also bow our heads in memory of the Ukrainian defenders – men and women – who sacrificed their lives defending Ukraine. We remember the civilians whose lives were claimed by the russian aggressor.

Today, we speak with pride about the resolve, resilience and free spirit of the Ukrainian people!

Ukraine has made Russia’s plans of invasion fail. Ukraine continues to fight. Ukraine continues to work, recover, develop, and build its European future.

Ukraine aspires for peace. A comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, one that guarantees security and prevents repetition of russia’s aggression.

Ukraine is steadily progressing, by implementing extensive reforms, towards full membership in the European Union and NATO. This is not just a foreign policy objective. It is a civilizational choice made by the Ukrainian people – a choice for freedom, democracy, the rule of law, security, and a European future. The choice which is now defended by Ukrainians with the highest human sacrifice.

2026 has already become a landmark year for Ukrainian-Romanian bilateral partnership.

In March, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid an official visit to Bucharest and, together with President Nicușor Dan signed a Joint Declaration on establishing a strategic partnership between Ukraine and Romania. This was an important historical decision, which set a solid framework for strengthening close practical cooperation across various fields.

For Ukraine, Romania is a key partner in the spheres of security, energy, transport and infrastructure, regional development, European integration. We highly value Romania’s consistent support for Ukraine and its European membership path.

Profit de această ocazie pentru a-mi exprima recunoștința deosebită față de statul român și față de poporul român – din toate categoriile sociale – pentru solidaritatea cu Ucraina, pentru sprijinul acordat ucrainenilor care și-au găsit adăpost în România, precum și pentru asistența umanitară, energetică și de altă natură oferită țării mele.

Dear friends of Ukraine,

Ukraine is preparing for another challenging winter.

The aggressor state is escalating the intensity of strikes on energy and critical infrastructure as a tool of terror. Therefore, preparations of the energy sector for winter, the strengthening of Ukraine’s air defenses, and energy resilience will be of crucial importance. We are counting on the steadfast support of our international partners, including Romania. I appeal to all to provide needed assistance to Ukraine in a form you will find possible. 

In closing, let me underscore the historic significance of maintaining unity and common purpose around multidimensional support for Ukraine as means to defeat the revanchist neoimperial ambitions of russia on the European continent.

Слава Україні!