Speech by President António Costa at the ceremony of the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence

Dear Volodymyr, dear people of Ukraine,

I am honoured to be here today, on Sofiiska Square in Kyiv, to celebrate Ukraine's Independence Day. August 24 marks the moment when Ukraine joined the free nations of Europe. It is a crucial date in Ukraine's long struggle for freedom and independence. It is also a day to pay tribute to all those who are standing strong in defending their homeland on the front lines and across Ukraine. Your courage and bravery inspire the world. And thank you to all those fighting in the frontlines. But thanks also to their families, their parents, their children, all of them, they are losing and risking their lives for the freedom of Ukraine and the freedom of Europe.

Today, I am also honoured to accept the Order of Europe - a symbol of the unity that binds us together. I accept it also on behalf of the heads of state and government of the European Union, my fellow members in the European Council.

The European Council met on the very first day of Russia's full-scale war, on 24 February 2022, to galvanise European support for Ukraine. European solidarity has been strong and unwavering ever since. We have always been with you in providing political, financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support. And in jointly building the Coalition of the Willing, which will provide you with strong security guarantees once this terrible war is over. So that it never happens again.

We will continue to provide as much support as necessary, for as long as necessary - during the war, in future peace negotiations and in reconstruction. Because our vision extends beyond the war.

Ukraine's future in the European Union is the best guarantee of security and long-term democratic stability - for Ukraine and for Europe as a whole. Our goal is Ukraine's integration into the European Union's peace project: a union of nations that have overcome nationalism, that uphold democracy and the rule of law, and that work together for shared prosperity and development. We all know that accession is a demanding process. But these challenges should not block our political determination, rooted in geopolitical necessity and the free, democratic choice of the Ukrainian people.

Ukraine has already helped to build a new, truly geopolitical European Union: a Union that takes responsibility for its defence, strengthens its strategic autonomy, stands firmly for international law and multilateralism, builds partnerships across a changing world, and welcomes new Member States. And it's ready to welcome Ukraine in the EU.

Ladies and gentlemen, international law must prevail. Russia will not prevail. After more than four years of full-scale war, Russia has not achieved its objectives. The human toll has been devastating, and the economic consequences have been disastrous.

This summer, more than ever, we can see that the war is draining Russia's resources. Our unprecedented sanctions are also having an impact. We will intensify the pressure until Russia ends the killing and demonstrates a genuine commitment to peace. The European Union cannot be neutral when international law is being violated.

We are not neutral; we are supporters of Ukraine. We support all serious initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine. But ultimately, it is Ukraine - and only Ukraine - that must define the terms of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. That peace must affirm Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. And it must guarantee Ukraine's long-term security and its ability to defend itself.

I would like to end with the words of Lesia Ukrainka, a pivotal figure in Ukrainian literature. Her words resonate profoundly today:

"Khto vyzvolytʹsya sam, toy bude vilʹnyy" - "Whoever liberates themselves shall be free."

This is what you are fighting for: a freedom that cannot be fully bestowed by others, but that you are forging for yourselves. Rest assured: we stand united with you in this endeavour. Together, we strive for a free Ukraine, within a strong and united Europe.

Thank you.