Independence Day Greetings from Vitaliy Barvinenko, Director of the Institute of Danube Research

Dear Ukrainians! Dear friends!

I sincerely congratulate you on Ukraine’s Independence Day!

Today, independence for us is not merely a date on the calendar, nor only the historic choice made by the Ukrainian people on 24 August 1991. It is the right to be ourselves. The right to live on our own land, to speak our own language, to determine our own future, and to decide for ourselves what kind of state Ukraine will be.

Over the years of the full-scale war, we have come to understand more profoundly than ever the price of freedom. Today, independence is being defended on the front line, in cities and villages, in hospitals, schools, ports, enterprises, and communities. Every day it is upheld by soldiers, volunteers, doctors, rescuers, teachers, entrepreneurs — by millions of Ukrainians who continue to work, support one another, and believe in their country.

Ukraine has always been and remains an integral part of the European space. It is especially important to us that today this unity is expressed not only through political support, but also through practical cooperation between states, regions, and communities. The Danube, the Black Sea, and cross-border ties are spaces where Ukraine is already building its European future.

We remember everyone who gave their life for Ukraine. We are grateful to every defender, man and woman, thanks to whom we have the opportunity to live, work, speak about the future, and build it.

May our independence be not only hard-won, but also strong — economically, politically, and institutionally. May Ukraine become a state in which freedom is combined with responsibility, strength with justice, and patriotism with daily work for the sake of our common home.

I wish all Ukrainians peace, resilience, unity, and faith.

Happy Independence Day of Ukraine!
Glory to Ukraine!

Vitaliy Barvinenko
Director of the Institute of Danube Research