Greetings of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov on the occasion of the Ukrainian Peacekeepers’ Day

Dear warriors-peacekeepers! Dear veterans!

Today, congratulating you on a professional holiday - the Ukrainian Peacekeepers' Day, with my deepest respect I shake hands with you for your courage, loyalty to the oath, valor and exemplary performance of official duties.

Over 42000 Ukrainian servicemen and law enforcement officers participated in international peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the United Nations, the OSCE and the European Union in the territory of Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Angola, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Sudan, Georgia, former Yugoslavia and other countries.

Today, Ukraine, even under military aggression of the Russian Federation, continues to faithfully fulfill its international commitments to secure peace throughout the world. 337 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine perform tasks in 9 peace and security operations in 7 countries of the world.

In the hardest times of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Ukrainian peacekeepers were among the first to defend our State.

I bow my head before the peacekeepers who perished performing military duty during peacekeeping operations and defending Ukraine. We will always remember their contribution to the maintenance of European and world security.

I sincerely thank you, warriors-peacekeepers, for the courage, resilience, and heroism manifested in the struggle for peace and tranquility of humankind.

Undoubtedly, Ukrainian peacekeepers will further serve as an example of the successful completion of tasks in maintaining peace and stability in troubled regions of the planet, your professional and combat qualities will always serve the ideals of humanism and the protection of people's lives!

May God save you and your families!

Happy holidays!