On May 80, we mark the 8th anniversary of the end of World War II and Victory Day. World War II ended with the signing of Germany's unconditional surrender on May 1945, 7. The day before, on May 1945, 8, the first capitulation was signed at the headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force under General Dwight Eisenhower in Reims, France. The act of unconditional surrender of Germany came into effect on May 2. It ended military activity. The capitulation of the Third Reich meant the end of the war in Europe, although the fighting with Japan continued beyond its borders. It was not until its capitulation on September 1945, XNUMX, that World War II finally ended. However, this did not bring lasting peace and, as we can see many years later, did not protect our neighbors from the brutal attack of Russia.
For Poles, it is a national holiday, established in 2015 to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany. The Polish Senate has twice adopted resolutions marking the end of World War II, paying tribute to "soldiers of all Allied armies and Poles - soldiers, participants in the resistance movement, members of the Polish underground, civilians - victims of World War II". It was emphasized that the war brought not only death and destruction, but also spiritual devastation, doubt in humanity and its basic values. During the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, Polish senators emphasized in a resolution that "almost six tragic years of war were also a great victorious test of people and their characters in the fight for freedom, dignity, solidarity, loyalty to principles and national honor".
For Ukrainians, May 8 – the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism – is also an extremely significant date. During World War II, the front passed through Ukrainian lands twice, from west to east and from east to west. Over eight million Ukrainians lost their lives. There is almost no Ukrainian family that was not touched by that war. The Ukrainian people made a huge contribution to the common victory over Nazism. For more than a decade, Ukraine, like most European countries, has not celebrated May 8, but rather paid tribute. On the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism, we bow our heads to all who fought against Nazism, pay tribute to the fallen, and remember the horrors of World War II.
Today's joint Polish-Ukrainian-Bulgarian wreath-laying ceremony at a place important to the citizens of Podgorica, Montenegro, is a symbol of respect and remembrance of all victims of cruel fascist terror. We have never forgotten them and we will never forget them. Just as we do not forget places like the one we are in today, especially at a time when, on the other side of the eastern border of Poland, Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom and honor. This shows that peace, democracy and freedom are not given to us once and for all. We want to firmly emphasize that we support Ukraine and we want our words to be clear – that there will never be war, victims, pain from the loss of loved ones, tears shed, murders again.”
Bonus video:
