President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in a virtual Summit for Democracy initiated by US President Joseph Biden.
In a video speech, the President of Ukraine thanked the President of the United States for the initiative to hold a summit on combating corruption, protecting human rights and fighting authoritarianism.
"These challenges are key today for Europe and the world at large. Ukraine, like no other, is ready to overcome them," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President stressed that independence, freedom and democracy are part of the DNA of Ukrainians, and recalled the history of Ukraine's formation as an independent state: "30 years ago, our people democratically decided to create their own and independent state, when the All-Ukrainian referendum on Ukraine's independence took place on December 1, 1991".
According to the Head of State, Ukraine is without a doubt and without bragging the leader of democratic transformations in the region. He spoke about a number of important and successful steps in this direction.
"We have passed a law on de-oligarchization. We are completing the decentralization reform, restoring the mechanism of democracy, building the institutions of direct democracy," said the President of Ukraine.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, guaranteed, protected human rights are the basis of a successful and progressive country, so our state will continue to confidently move forward on this path.
"We will do everything to ensure gender equality, protect women, children, internally displaced persons, people with disabilities and every single citizen," the President said.
The President stressed that Ukraine has made significant progress in building its own democratic institutions and is a reliable partner for all those who are ready to uphold democracy and freedom in the world.
"Together, we must make this world freer, safer and more democratic. We persistently put this into practice. And we will continue to do so," Volodymyr Zelenskyy summed up.