Ukraine war latest: Under-pressure Boris Johnson visits Ukraine; Putin ally warns West against weapons deliveries | World News
Unity Day is a national holiday celebrated annually on 22 January.
It marks the day in 1919 that the Unification Act was signed.
The act brought together the Ukraine People’s Republic and Western Ukraine People’s Republic into one independent country.
Yet Ukraine’s independence in 1919 was short-lived, as the Soviets soon took over most of Ukraine’s territory.
Marking the day, Ukrainian World Congress president Paul Grod said that this year, more than ever, Ukrainians around the world are united.
“Today, after almost a year of Russia’s brutal full-scale war of aggression, Ukrainians around world are united like never before and are standing fearlessly in defence of their families and homeland,” Mr Grod said.
“I am confident that together we will be victorious and liberate all the Ukrainian people suffering under Russia’s torturous occupation.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also released a statement marking the historic day, focusing on the “close bilateral relationship” between the two countries.
“Canada’s ties with Ukraine run deep. We are home to the second-largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world, with over 1.4 million people of Ukrainian descent living in this country today,” he said.
“On this Day of Unity, we stand together against violence, authoritarianism, and threats to democracy.
“We honour the lives tragically lost in the fight to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.”