By KYIV. Oct 28 (Interfax-Ukraine) – President Volodymyr Zelensky received "Oxi Courage Award", the ceremony of which was held at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova said.
"I had the honor to receive the Oxi Courage Award for our President Volodymyr Zelensky, the solemn ceremony of which has been held today at the U.S. Institute of Peace. We are sincerely grateful to the Washington Oxi Day Foundation for the award and to Mike Manatos for a significant event and focus on the struggle of Ukraine, which is now decisive for the free world," Markarova wrote on Facebook.
She noted that "the worldwide recognition of the inspiring courage that the people of Ukraine and President Zelensky showed during our liberation war is a powerful signal of the unity of our friends with Ukraine and confidence in our victory. The common victory of democracy over tyranny and light over darkness."
Markarova compared the situation around Ukraine with the events of World War II and quoted the 32nd U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt.
"This is very symbolic, because the word ‘Oxi’ means ‘no’ in Greek. This is exactly what the Greek Prime Minister replied to the ultimatum of Hitler’s forces to surrender on October 28, 1940. When the whole world despaired, the Greek people decided to challenge the invincibility of the German monster, opposing it with dignity and the spirit of freedom," the ambassador stressed.
She noted that the award was presented to Zelensky by the U.S. President’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan.
