As Zelenska posted on Telegram, on July 19 she had the honor of receiving the Dissident Human Rights Award given to the entire Ukrainian people. The award ceremony took place at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington.
"This year, for the first time, not a specific person but the entire people of Ukraine received the award for the courageous struggle for freedom against Russia's war of aggression. Although the Memorial is dedicated to the crimes of communism, it should be remembered that this is only one face of totalitarianism," the First Lady noted.
She also noted that at the ceremony she had told everyone present how Russia was now using Stalinist repressive methods in Ukraine.
"How Ukrainians pass through Russian filtration camps, how those who do not agree to cooperate with the occupiers are tortured. How our people are forcibly deported to Russia. At the price of heroic efforts, we now fight not only for our freedom," Zelenska added.
The First Lady emphasized that Ukrainians were fighting so that Stalin's Great Terror could no longer be used anywhere and ever in the civilized world.
"Today's award, which I am taking to Ukraine, speaks about this," Zelenska summed up.
Since 2015, the Dissident Human Rights Award has been given to activists and dissidents for their courage in defending human rights and freedom.
