On August 24, 2021 Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of its independence. Tracing its origins from the 9th century when the Kyivan Rus was founded, Ukraine has always been a brave and high-spirited country with the strong drive for freedom and dignity.

30 years of independence for a state is an extremely short period. However, modern Kyiv had six presidents and twenty prime ministers. Modern Ukraine grew up through three revolutions. Ukrainians’ strong emotions and aspiration to live in democracy made Ukraine develop as a free country that exceeds every expectation.

Today’s Ukraine re-instates geopolitical importance having chosen the path of accession to the European Union and NATO. In 2014, the Association Agreement was signed having created the new format of relations between Ukraine and the EU on the basis of political association and economic integration. Relations between NATO and Ukraine in 30 years have developed into one of the most substantial of NATO’s partnerships.

Celebrating 30 years of independence, Ukraine has become a guarantor of the world’s food security. Grains, oil, meat, vegetables, fruits are supplied to almost every country in the world. In 2020, Vietnam bought Ukrainian agricultural products for nearly 120 million USD.

Ukraine successfully develops scientific and technical potential. According to The Good Country Index, Ukraine ranks first in the world for several years in the category of "Science and Technology". At present, almost no UN or NATO mission can do without the Ukrainian-built Antonov aircrafts, and the world’s biggest AN-225 "Dream" is among them.

Modern Ukraine is an important hub in the global IT development network. Ukrainian developers create unicorn companies that receive multimillion-dollar investments. Ukraine has become the first country in the world whose citizens have a digital passport – with the smartphone you can confirm your identity and access all services within the country.

Ukraine actively asserts itself in the cultural scene. This year, the most prestigious Wagner Festival of Classical Music in Bayreuth, Germany was for the first time opened by a female conductor - Ukrainian Oksana Lyniv, who brilliantly coped with her historical mission.

Ukraine has become a country of positive discoveries for many visitors: citizens of 100 countries can come to Ukraine without visas. Ukrainians may travel visa-free to 137 countries in the world.

Yet, Ukraine is not developing in greenhouse conditions. The country has an aggressive northern neighbour, who despises Ukraine’s national identity and statehood, who has attempted to annex Crimea, occupies large parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and took away lives of more than 15 thousand Ukrainians.

Despite the need to protect itself from aggression and spend large sums on the army's defence capabilities, Ukraine has enough strength to reform. Since 2014, Ukraine has achieved progress in the fight against corruption, reform of medicine and education, army and police, government procurement and more. In 2019, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine after 334 years of annexation received independence from Moscow’s supervision when the Tomos was signed by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.

In 1994, Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons for the sake of global security. Today, being forced to fight for the right to be Ukrainians in its own land, Ukraine safeguards the Europe’s peace and security through building a strong country and protecting Europe’s Northern borders.

On August 23, 2021, in Kyiv, the Crimea Platform Inaugural Summit with participation of more than 40 countries is taking place. The Crimea Platform will form an essential part of the global deterrence of Russian aggressive policies which undermine European and transatlantic security, as well as the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. Progress on de-occupation of Crimea will serve as an important element of the wider international policy to resolve "frozen" conflicts in Europe.

Ukraine still has a lot to do: to restore territorial integrity, to strengthen the economy and to raise prosperity of all Ukrainians. The biggest asset of Ukraine is its people. Free, strong, creative, kind, responsive. These are not just words - these are the main features of the Ukrainian nation, which for many hundreds of years has been hardened in the constant struggle for its independence. And while there are Ukrainians, the words "Glory to Ukraine!" will be heard, and in response we will hear "Glory to the heroes!".