Kyiv, Europe Brief News – Ukrainians have celebrated on Wednesday the Unity Day. A holiday President Volodymyr Zelenskyy created this week after Russia massed troops near Ukraine’s borders.
The celebrants have raised the national flags and played the country’s anthem to show unity against fears of a Russian invasion.
Flags have also decorated government offices, hospitals, and schools.
“Just a normal day, but these flags are here for a purpose, to show we fear no one. They did not scare us,” said Mykola, who operates a small coffee stand.
A loudspeaker at a local government office in Kyiv blared patriotic songs. Television and government YouTube channels also broadcast speeches and rousing reminders of Ukraine’s nationhood.
In a televised address, Zelenskyy said Ukrainians have a common desire “to live in peace, happily, in a family, children with parents”.
“No one can love our home as we can. And only we, together, can protect our home,” he further said.
Russia’s defence ministry said early on Tuesday that some troops positioned on the border with Ukraine are returning to their bases after completing drills.
Thus, his statements raised hopes of possible de-escalation after Russia’s foreign minister said diplomacy was “far from exhausted.”
Russia, which denies it plans to invade, wants assurances Ukraine will never be allowed to join the Nato defence alliance.
