The day January 22, 1919, was recorded forever in the history of the Ukrainian people. On that winter day in Kiev under the echo of the bells of the Cathedral of St. Sophia was adopted the Act of unification of two states - the Ukrainian People's Republic and the Western Ukrainian People's Republic. As a result of the unification of Ukrainian lands, a single independent state - the Ukrainian People's Republic emerged.
For a long time, Ukraine was divided between different states and empires. But 99 years ago, the Ukrainian people carried out their eternal aspiration for the unity of all Ukrainian lands by the Act of Zluky, declaring to the world that from now on there is one single Ukrainian congregation.
Celebrating the 99th anniversary of this great event, on this day, we also celebrate the proclamation of the independence of the Ukrainian People's Republic, which took place exactly 100 years ago, on January 22, 1918. In these celebrations, we, the Ukrainians, emphasize that we have a single state that Ukraine is independent and indivisible, and we are the only Ukrainian people.
To celebrate the Day of Unity of Ukraine, at the National Historical and Memorial Reserve "Babyn Yar" an exhibition was opened on the Day of Unity of Ukraine and a roundtable was held. Addressing those present, Scientific Deputy Director General Andrei Tkachuk, emphasized that the celebration of the Unity Day of Ukraine, the commemoration of the creators of Ukrainian state independence and unity, is not only an urgent social need but also a moral obligation to keep memory about the countless sacrifices, compiled by the Ukrainian people on the altar of its statehood, independence and unity.
Today, the Unity has gone deep through the hearts and minds of Ukrainians - we feel that we are the only people who build and protect their own Ukrainian home on their land.
Symbolically, Ukrainians celebrate the memory of the newest fighters for Ukraine's freedom - the defenders of the Donetsk airport, which became a symbol of the invincibility of the spirit and the will of the Ukrainian soldiers in the two days before the Day of Ukrainian Unity. Russian aggression against our state, which began
February 20, 2014, and lasts till now, did not crush the Ukrainian spirit. Ukrainians of different national origins have shown examples of heroism and courage in defending the independence and territorial integrity of their state because the only Motherland - Ukraine stays behind them. And although the celebration of the 99th anniversary of the adoption of the Zluky Act and the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the independence of the UPR has some bitter tinge, we are confident that with such Heroes we will return the original Ukrainian territories captured by the aggressor. Russian invaders will leave our land together with their servants. Temporarily captured by the aggressor Crimea and the occupied territories of Donbass will return back because they are - Ukraine.
So let wisdom, freedom, love for our native land unite us for the sake of realizing a high goal - the prosperity of the independent, powerful Ukraine - a reliable guarantee of the well-being and happy life of its people.
