ISLAMABAD : On August 24, Ukraine marks the 35th anniversary of restoring its Independence. Today, this day carries a profound meaning, filled with deep sorrow for the fallen and incredible pride in everyone who continues to fight for our right to life and a free future.
The embassy shared on this occasion on its social media page that Ukrainian independence is not a mere coincidence of 1991. The origins of our statehood extend back over a millennium—from Kyivan Rus, the Principality of Galicia-Volhynia, and the Cossack State to the 20th-century national liberation movement.
Despite centuries of struggle against imperial and totalitarian oppression, including the Holodomor and the deportation of the Crimean Tatars, we have successfully preserved our identity.
Since 2014, and most notably following the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, Ukraine has been waging an existential war against Russian aggression. This is a battle not merely for territory, but for the very survival of the nation in the face of tyranny, as well as for international law and democracy across the civilized world.
Our objective remains steadfast: full sovereignty, a just peace, and liberation of all occupied territories.
Few are aware of the profound depth of the ties between our nations. At the very dawn of Pakistan’s statehood stood Muhammad Asad (born Leopold Weiss), a native of Lviv, who co-authored the country’s first constitution.
Furthermore, Ukrainian engineers helped build Pakistan’s industrial sector in the 1960s and 1970s, and in the 1990s, Ukraine strengthened Islamabad’s defense capabilities through the supply of T-80UD main battle tanks.
Today, Ukraine remains a key guarantor of Pakistan’s food security, delivering millions of tons of grain even under the conditions of war, including through the “Food from Ukraine” humanitarian program.
Finally, the statement concludes as, “We highly value Pakistan’s support for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Truth is on our side. Happy Independence Day, Ukraine! We will endure and we will prevail.”
