In accordance with Article 106 of the Constitution, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered the annual Address on the Internal and External Situation of Ukraine to the Verkhovna Rada and presented state awards.
The plenary session of the Parliament was also attended by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, government representatives, heads of central executive bodies, heads of the judiciary, judges of the Constitutional Court, heads of regional councils, heads of diplomatic missions of foreign states and international organizations.
For the first time, members of the public, including relatives of the fallen defenders of Ukraine, were invited to the plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada.
The Head of State called it symbolic that his address with the annual message on the internal and external situation of Ukraine takes place today, on the 30th anniversary of the All-Ukrainian referendum on Ukraine's independence.
"On December 1, 1991, the All-Ukrainian referendum on the independence of Ukraine was held, which was supported by the vast majority of Ukrainian citizens. From all regions, including Donbas and Crimea. We took a big step 30 years ago. But we did not go further. We restored, proclaimed, chose and gained an independent Ukraine. But we never started building it. Independent from other people's influence and other people's interests," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
"We have all been building such a country for the last two and a half years. Really free, really independent," he added.
After delivering his annual Address to the Verkhovna Rada, the President of Ukraine presented state awards and honorary titles on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the All-Ukrainian referendum on Ukraine's independence.
