35 Years Since The Restoration of Ukraine’s Independence Day

On 24 August, Ukraine marks 35 years since restoring its independence. For Ukrainians, this anniversary is a celebration of the country we chose to build, the freedom we defend, and the future we continue to shape with our international partners. 

I am grateful to have the opportunity and responsibility to strengthen relations between Ukraine and the Kingdom of Thailand. I sincerely thank Thailand for its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Kingdom has consistently supported Ukraine at the United Nations, and our cooperation within international formats is growing.

This year, Thailand took part in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk and joined the outcome document of the Ukraine Mine Action Conference in Tokyo. We also grateful for regular humanitarian support. Earlier this year, during the coldest months of winter, Thailand provided Ukraine with humanitarian assistance worth 5 million baht. This contribution has real meaning for the people of Ukraine, living through the hardest times. 

At the same time, I want to emphasize that despite all the difficulties, Ukraine continues to develop. There is a side of Ukrainian story that many people heard of: air raid sirens, missile attacks and a country fighting for its survival against Russia's full-scale military invasion. But there is another side of the story, the one written every day by ordinary people.

It is a story of resilience. It is about those who defend their country on the battlefield, those who return to work after sleepless nights under missile and drone attacks, those who continue to live in the frontline cities, with their streets covered by anti-drone nets, those who continue to teach children in schools and care for patients in hospitals. It is also about those who reopen their businesses, restore damaged buildings and simply continue living their lives.

It is the story of a country that has refused to surrender its future. And because Ukrainians have continued to create, build and achieve even under extraordinary circumstances, the world today hears about Ukraine not only because of the war, but because of what Ukrainians themselves accomplish.

Ukrainian athletes continue to compete and win medals despite hundreds of sports facilities having been destroyed and countless nights spent in shelters. Entrepreneurs continue to build companies that reach customers around the world.

Filmmakers, musicians, designers and chefs continue to create and bring Ukrainian culture, talent and ideas to international audiences. In particular, in recent months, residents of Bangkok have had an opportunity to see this for themselves, as the Thai capital welcomed Ukrainian women volleyball players and Muay Thai fighters.

From 4 to 6 August this year, the Embassy, with the support of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Governor Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, organised the Second Ukrainian Film Festival, which was warmly received by Thai people.
 

Our determination to defend freedom has gone hand in hand with an extraordinary capacity to innovate. The same country that has had to find new ways to protect its cities and infrastructure has also found new ways to solve problems, create technologies and adapt.

Ukraine's technology sector generated close to 7.85 billion USD for the economy last year, accounting for over 40 percent of the country's service exports. In the first quarter of this year alone, more than 900 new IT companies were registered in Ukraine.

Some Ukrainian products are already used around the world. Grammarly, for example, has become one of the world's best-known writing tools. Ukrainian companies are also developing financial technology, cybersecurity, AI and other digital solutions for international markets.

Diia.City, a unique legal and tax framework that creates favourable conditions for the growth of tech businesses in Ukraine, now brings together more than 4,500 technology and defence-tech resident companies, including international companies such as Visa and Nokia, and more than 150,000 specialists.

Then there is Monobank, a Ukrainian digital bank that operates without physical branches. Instead, customers can open and manage their accounts, make payments and transfers, and resolve most day-to-day banking issues directly through the mobile application.

Ukraine's ability to deliver sophisticated digital public services has also gained international recognition. According to the World Bank's latest GovTech Maturity Index, Ukraine is among the world's leading countries in public-sector digital transformation.

Companies had to operate amid power cuts and damaged infrastructure. They have found ways to keep people connected, maintain communications and continue serving clients when normal conditions were repeatedly disrupted.

Similar innovative approach is particularly visible in Ukraine's defence technology sector. More than 1,000 private companies are now working in the sector, while more than 2,000 defence-tech startups have been registered. Brave1, Ukraine's defence-tech cluster and a state-backed platform, has played a major role in bringing together innovators, the defence sector, investors and the state, and in driving the development of defence innovation.

Ukrainian engineers are now creating systems that help protect Ukrainian cities and soldiers. Ukraine has been forced to solve problems that few societies have had to confront at this scale - and in doing so, Ukrainians have developed expertise that extends far beyond the battlefield.

The same applies to resilience at the national level. For almost four years, Ukraine has had to protect its energy system, banking sector, communications and government services from simultaneous kinetic and cyber threats.
Yet hospitals continue to function, banks continue to operate and essential government services continue to reach citizens.

Few countries have had to develop and test such systems under conditions like these. Ukraine has learned lessons that most countries have only studied in theory. The experience we have gained in protecting critical infrastructure, maintaining essential services and responding to physical and cyber threats is therefore something Ukraine can share with trusted partners.

Sadly, not every Ukrainian will be able to celebrate the 35th anniversary of independence with their families. I am thinking of the defenders who remain on the front line, protecting their country. I am also thinking of thousands of Ukrainian prisoners held captive by Russia, both military personnel and civilians. Most of them face inhumane treatment and tortures and we fight to return them back home.

There are also Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred or deported by Russia from the temporarily occupied territories and separated from their families and communities. Ukraine is working continuously to bring these children home, including through Bring Kids Back UA Initiative.

Thailand, with its broad diplomatic relations and long experience of working with countries across different regions, has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to these efforts. Thailand can demonstrate leadership on an issue that is fundamentally humanitarian and help strengthen international efforts to bring Ukrainian captives and children home.

I am sharing this because Ukraine's 35th Independence anniversary is ultimately about our people, those who sacrifice, defend our country and keep it going, and those who do not simply survive, but live, create and pursue their dreams.

On this anniversary, on behalf of the Embassy of Ukraine, I extend my warmest congratulations to my fellow Ukrainians across Thailand. And I thank the people of the Kingdom of Thailand for their friendship, solidarity and continued support for Ukraine.

Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to the heroes!