Ukraine’s Independence Day was celebrated with a reception. Speaking at the reception, Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan emphasized that Türkiye would continue to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence, stating, “We will continue to provide all the support we can within the framework of international law to bring an end to this war, in which Ukraine is just.”
Haşim KILIÇ
THE reception held at the Ukrainian Embassy was hosted by Ukraine’s Ambassador to Ankara Vasyl Bodnar and his wife Kateryna Bodnar. Among the attendees were Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, former Speaker of Parliament Bülent Arınç, as well as numerous ambassadors, military officials, and guests.
“Ukraine, our neighbor, strategic partner and friend, holds a very special place in our hearts,” said Minister Işıkhan in his speech, adding, “We are confident that with the completion of the approval process for the Free Trade Agreement, the strategic partnership between our countries will reach a new level. We have no doubt that the cooperation and friendship between Türkiye and Ukraine will continue to strengthen in the long term.”
‘WE WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE SUPPORT’
Reiterating Türkiye’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence, Işıkhan said, “We will continue to provide all the support we can within the framework of international law to bring an end to this war, in which Ukraine is just.”
INDEPENDENCE MEANS A LOT
Ambassador Bodnar also emphasized that independence means a great deal to Ukrainians, saying, “Russia started a war that still continues. Moscow continues its attacks on the front, strikes our cities, and kills our civilians.” He stated that for 1,000 days, children’s hospitals, rehabilitation centers, power plants, and electrical grids have been bombed continuously. “Russia is systematically trying to drag Ukrainians into darkness and uninterrupted air raid sirens. Since February 2022, thousands of educational facilities have been destroyed or demolished. More than 6,000 civilian targets have been attacked. Russia has killed 600 Ukrainian children and injured 1,600. 19,000 children have been abducted. After each Russian attack, serious power outages occur in thousands of our cities and towns. Despite everything, we are alive and fighting back.”
Bodnar also mentioned that 250 Ukrainian orphaned children in Ankara and Antalya have been provided with all the necessary care and assistance, and that Türkiye has supported them throughout 2024.
TÜRKİYE WILL NEVER LEAVE MY HEART
The ambassador, stating that this reception might be the last one he hosts during his tenure, said, “I may leave Türkiye, but Türkiye will never leave my heart. I love this beautiful country, I love the Turkish people, and I have almost become one of you.”
GOODNESS WILL PREVAIL
After his speech, Ambassador Bodnar presented a medal to Prof. Dr. Hakan Ağır, who voluntarily helped Ukrainian children affected by the war. Ağır, in his speech following the medal presentation, said that extending a helping hand to children affected by the war is a humanitarian duty and expressed his belief that there are more good-hearted people in the world and that goodness will prevail.
Additionally, a Ukrainian music group performed traditional Ukrainian music with their instruments at the reception.
