On 24 August, Ukraine marks the 33rd anniversary of the restoration of its independence. For Ukrainians, this day transcends being just a national holiday; it is a solemn tribute to Ukraine’s thousand-year-old state-building tradition, rooted in the Kyivan Rus, as the oldest recorded mention of the word ‘Ukraina’ appears in the Kyivan Chronicle under the year 1187. Today, independence is not just a legacy we inherit but a responsibility that requires immense sacrifices.
Every Ukrainian now deeply understands the true meaning of independence because it is something we are actively defending. Independence for us signifies the freedom to choose our own path — one that we see as peaceful, prosperous, and guided by universal human values. This vision aligns closely with Kuwait’s approach to national development, which has earned global recognition as a Humanitarian Center. Ukraine is deeply grateful to Kuwait for decades of effective and mutually beneficial cooperation, characterized by mutual support and humanitarian aid in times of need, developing trade relations, legendary sports ties, and enriching cultural and academic exchanges.
On this occasion, we also extend our heartfelt thanks to the foreign diplomatic missions accredited to Kuwait and their respective capitals for standing with us in upholding international law, justice and security. Together with foreign partners, Ukraine has made significant contributions to overcoming the consequences of humanitarian crises worldwide, as Ukrainians are acutely aware of what a humanitarian disaster means.
Thus, in collaboration with several dozen countries and international organizations, we successfully implement the ‘Grain from Ukraine’ food security program, aimed at helping countries affected by food shortages. To date, the program has dispatched 10 vessels carrying over 200,000 tons of wheat and flour to Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Yemen, Nigeria, Sudan, and Palestine, with the latter recently receiving 1,000 tons of Ukrainian flour — enough to feed 100,000 people in Gaza for a month.
In conclusion, we extend our congratulations to Ukrainians worldwide on the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. We raise our blue-and-yellow flags in honor of our freedom — something that cannot be taken from us, alongside respect for international law and security, for the benefit of all peace-loving nations. We also wish for peace, security, and stability to prevail throughout the world.
