President Joe Biden acknowledged Ukraine‘s Independence Day, lavishing praise on the country of 44 million people for inspiring the world with its “extraordinary courage and dedication to freedom” six months after the Russian invasion.
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“They have stood resolute and strong in the face of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine,” Biden wrote Wednesday in a statement. “Today is not only a celebration of the past, but a resounding affirmation that Ukraine proudly remains — and will remain — a sovereign and independent nation.”
BIDEN’S RESPONSE TO RUSSIA IN FOCUS SIX MONTHS INTO WAR IN UKRAINE
Biden also confirmed the United States would be providing Ukraine with another round of military assistance, this time worth $2.98 billion, the biggest tranche to date. Biden had committed more than $9.9 billion to Ukraine as of Aug. 19 since Russia invaded on Feb. 24.
“This will allow Ukraine to acquire air defense systems, artillery systems and munitions, counter-unmanned aerial systems, and radars to ensure it can continue to defend itself over the long term,” he said.
In lieu of traditional parades, Ukraine marked its Independence Day Wednesday by parking charred Russian armored vehicles along Kyiv’s main boulevard amid security concerns. Roughly 13,000 civilians have died or been injured during this incursion after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.
“I know this independence day is bittersweet for many Ukrainians as thousands have been killed or wounded, millions have been displaced from their homes, and so many others have fallen victim to Russian atrocities and attacks,” Biden said. “But six months of relentless attacks have only strengthened Ukrainians’ pride in themselves, in their country, and in their thirty-one years of independence.”
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“Today and every day, we stand with the Ukrainian people to proclaim that the darkness that drives autocracy is no match for the flame of liberty that lights the souls of free people everywhere,” he added. “The United States, including proud Ukrainian-Americans, looks forward to continuing to celebrate Ukraine as a democratic, independent, sovereign, and prosperous state for decades to come.”
