“From this existential war, we go out stronger”

I appreciate this possibility of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the support of the Ukrainian people, as well as in the welcoming part of Spain that has been with us during these almost 1100 days of struggle. We are obliged to fight for the very existence of the Ukrainian people, to preserve Ukraine and their identity, because of the possibility that each of us can live freely in their lands and follow their own path. It is not easy, but the proponents of our state are heirs of the warriors of the Russian of Kíiv, of the Cossacks, of the rifles of the Sich and of the fighters of the UPA.

We deeply value the efforts of the state government of Spain and the local authorities to house about 84,052 people temporarily displaced to the three communities mentioned, and to support many more residents in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s independence is a consolidated statement that no longer needs demonstration: a consummated historical event and the only acceptable form of existence in our country. Having an independent state is a conscious choice and the most valuable acquisition. The modern independence of Ukraine-34 years since the adoption of the act of proclamation of the independence of Ukraine-is based on an ancient state inheritance (since the formation of the state of the Russian Kíiv in the 9th century, the appearance of the proto-Ukraine language in the age of the principalities, the creation of the Cyrillic alphabet, the first names of our people, “Rusychi”, “Rusyny” -, the national shield – the trident – and the national currency – the grívnia). The use of the term “ Ukraine ” has been documented since 1187. The objective historical reality understood that it is Ukraine, and not an aggressive country like Russia, who is the legitimate heir of the state and cultural tradition of Russian.

On December 1, 1991, in the national referendum, the Ukrainians confirmed their aspiration to live in an independent state. 90.32 % of voters answered the newsletter’s question in the affirmative: “Do you confirm the proclamation of Ukraine’s independence?” In Crimea, temporarily occupied by the aggressive country, the idea of ​​independence was supported by 54.19 % of voters; in the Donetsk region, for 83.90 %; and the Luhansk region, for 83.86 %. The referendum showed that the source of Ukrainian Statality is the will of the people.

The restoration of Ukraine’s independence in 1991 led to the collapse of “the prison of the peoples”, which was the Soviet Union. During these three decades of independence, Ukraine has, despite all the difficulties, been an example of viability of democratic institutions in postsoviet space, an alternative to authoritarianism that has been imposed on other states arising from the USSR. The desire for freedom and sensitivity to injustice are determining traits of the Ukrainians.

As it happened at other times in history, the peaceful and progressive development of an independent Ukraine began to irritate neoimperial Russia. When all political-economic attempts to destroy the new Ukrainian state failed, Moscow resorted to armed aggression from 2014.

Putin’s regime denies not only the existence of Ukraine as a sovereign state, but also the existence of Ukrainians as a differentiated ethnic group. In addition, when attacking the state sovereignty of Ukraine, the Kremlin regime has caused chaos to the European continent, destabilized the existing collective security system and has caused negative economic, ecological, political and social consequences. That is why, respecting international law, the principle of sovereignty, and stopping the aggressor so that it does not become the “gendarmes of Europe” is a task of all civilized nations.

Today, Putin actively exploits the main mythologies of World War II and the Cold War. The aggressive confrontation with the West is presented as the supposed restoration of the geopolitical greatness of Russia. Propaganda dissemination channels are not limited to the media: the cinema, the show, the publishing industry-practically the entire cultural space is working to demonstrate the supposed Russo-Ucraitic unit or the subordination of Ukraine.

All Kremlin spokesmen spread the idea of ​​the “choice” and “unique” of the Russians as “older brothers” within the ideology of the “Ruskij Mir” (Russian world). It is precisely this ideology that has legitimized the alleged “right” of Russia to intervene in the affairs of the neighboring states, in particular Ukraine, based on a false “indissoluble unity” with Moscow, a “common history”, the Russian language, the culture and the orthodox faith.

The Ukrainians are a people who, even in the toughest and most adverse historical conditions, has been able to defend their freedom, their truth and their state. On the current path to the EU and NATO, we are grateful to be able to have the support of our partners and all those who contribute to the Ukrainian cause. It encourages us to the institutional solidarity shown by the Government’s delegations, the Parliament of Catalonia, the Barcelona City Council, as well as many other cities where these days will fly the Ukrainian flag and illuminate emblematic buildings with the blue and yellow colors.

From this existential war, we are stronger, more resistant and consolidate the will of victory. For the reasons set out in this writing, guided by the love of our homeland and life, we are unstoppable when we act united. Democracies must remain in solidarity and use all their strength to guarantee a fair peace for Ukraine. In this way, we have the narrow cooperation of our allies.

Oleg Grabovetskyy is the interior mayor of Ukraine in Barcelona