On May 8, the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the WWII, the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada, together with UCC National – Ukrainian Canadian Congress and Nicolas McCarthy from Beechwood Cemetery, held the annual Ukrainian Commemoration Ceremony at Beechwood National Military Cemetery in Ottawa.

We honoured the memory of the millions who perished, remembered the Ukrainian soldiers who fought as part of the anti-Hitler coalition, and expressed our gratitude to those who continue to defend Europe’s freedom on the frontlines in Ukraine today.

This year, the ceremony took place in an especially moving atmosphere - with a joint prayer, moments of silence, the singing of both the Ukrainian and Canadian national anthems, and the laying of wreaths on behalf of the Government of Canada, the Embassy of Ukraine, the armed forces of both countries, veterans, and the community.

We sincerely thank Greg Fergus, Speaker of the House of Commons of the 44th Parliament of Canada, the military attaché corps, ambassadors of partner countries, UCC National, and all attendees who shared this important moment of remembrance and unity with us.

A special thank-you to Taras Yatskiv of the Ukrainian War Veterans Association of Canada for reading the Act of Remembrance.

Our struggle today is the continuation of the fight of those who, 80 years ago, defended human dignity, life, and freedom. And just like then, today we are once again united in the pursuit of a just peace for Ukraine.

Let us remember the past not with nostalgia, but with purpose. Let us honour the fallen not only with silence, but with action. And let us continue, together, the work of building a world where peace is not the exception, but the rule.

#NeverAgainIsNow