Zelensky is submitting a bill to parliament today to officially rename May 8 as the ‘Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War of 1939-1945’.
Just like Russia and many other former Soviet states, Ukraine still celebrates ‘Victory Day’ on May 9. A large parade is then held in Moscow on the Red Square. Because of the time difference, the final surrender of the Nazis took place on a different date than in Western Europe.
In recent years, Ukraine has paid attention to the end of the war on both days. Now Zelensky wants to officially celebrate ‘Europe Day’ on May 9, a day on which the peace and unity of Europe is central. On 9 May 1950, the Schuman Declaration saw the light, the first step towards the European Coal and Steel Community, the predecessor of the EU. Kyiv hopes to join the union soon.
Zelensky emphasizes that his country is not alone in the current struggle against the Russians, but side by side with allies from “free Europe”, just as it was during World War II.