By KYIV. Dec 1 (Interfax-Ukraine) – President Volodymyr Zelensky received the International Pioneer Award for his unwavering commitment to the principles of freedom and democracy, which is awarded to world leaders and has been awarded to only two people in its history, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova has said.
"Proudly received today another and very special award for President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. The International Pioneer Award is the highest honorary distinction of the American Legislative Exchange Council – the largest non-partisan organization of lawmakers at all levels in the United States. ALEC members make up a quarter of the U.S. Congress, twenty percent of lawmakers on state level, and also hold about 300 elected positions across America," Markarova said on her Facebook on Thursday night.
She said the "International Pioneer Award" is given to world leaders who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the principles of freedom and democracy in their countries and abroad and have become a symbol of inspiration for future generations.
According to her, Zelensky was awarded this award for his leadership qualities, which "changed the strategic map of the Western world forever" attracting "even those countries that historically take a neutral position" to the side of Ukraine.
Markarova said the award is not presented every year, and in the entire history of its existence, only two people have been awarded it.
"Today this award is Ukrainian. After all, Ukraine’s struggle is a battle for the soul of global democracy and the inviolability of national sovereignty, which has united the whole world," the ambassador said.
Markarova also said the day before, ALEC members visited the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States, where they were told about the latest Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities.
The Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States also discussed the prospects for strengthening military support for the Ukrainian state, consolidating the anti-Putin coalition and restoring Ukraine.
"I dwelled separately on the issue of creating a Special Tribunal to prosecute the Russian military for war crimes, and the leadership of the Russian Federation for genocide against the Ukrainian people," she said.
According to Markarova, the readiness of the U.S. lawmakers at various levels to help Ukraine adopt the necessary legal norms testifies to the significant interest of the U.S. society in the Ukrainian issue.
