German President Joachim Gauck said that the world has seen Ukrainians as fighters for freedom, democracy and statehood.
“Since the end of the Cold War, the Ukrainians have reminded us that they have a place in European history. They have reminded us that Ukrainians today and in the future belong to the family of nations as a sovereign and independent state, whose territorial integrity should be respected. We have seen the Ukrainians as fighters for freedom, democracy and statehood,” Gauck said at an event dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the tragedy of the victims of Babi Yar (Babyn Yar) in Kyiv on Thursday.
According to the president of Germany, Ukrainians belong to the European community of values.
“We’ve learned a lot about Ukraine as a nation, as well our responsibility. Perhaps, the famine in Ukraine with its numerous victims is reflected more strongly in the collective memory of your nation than crimes of Babi Yar. But I, as German president, am in despair and grieve because of the crimes committed by some Germans,” Gauck said.
