Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been awarded the prestigious Four Freedoms Award in the Netherlands, recognizing his contributions to the defense of freedom and democratic values. This accolade was announced during Zelenskyy’s visit to the country on April 16.
Upon receiving the award, Zelenskyy took to the stage to emphasize that freedom cannot exist without security and accountability for aggressors. He began his address by recounting a recent large-scale attack launched by Russia against Ukraine on the same day.
“In just one night, nearly 300 strike drones, 19 ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles were fired. Air raid sirens echoed across many of our cities, resulting in numerous injuries and, tragically, fatalities in Odesa, Kyiv, and Dnipro—ordinary people, children, innocent civilians, victims of Russian madness,” he stated.
The audience observed a moment of silence to honor the victims of the conflict.
Zelenskyy remarked that Russia’s war against Ukraine is rooted in a denial of the nation’s existence. He noted that while some parts of the world hesitated to support Ukraine, there were others who quickly rallied to its cause.
“Freedom is never abstract. It is not something given; it is a state for which people fight and must defend. It always requires a strong foundation—security, law, culture, and education, as well as the understanding that evil will be punished,” he asserted.
The president also warned that wars tend to resurface when their initiators believe they can evade consequences.
He reiterated Ukraine’s commitment, alongside its partners, including the Netherlands, to ensure that no victim of Russian aggression goes without justice and that war criminals are held accountable.
“This is as necessary as it was after World War II. That is why in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, we are working towards establishing a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression by Russia against Ukraine,” Zelenskyy concluded.
Zelenskyy’s visit to the Netherlands is part of a broader European tour. On April 14, he met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, where the two delegations were shown seven models of drones produced by joint Ukrainian-German enterprises.
Following their discussions, Merz announced that Germany would provide Ukraine with new military aid packages, including air defense systems, long-range weapons, drones, and munitions.
Later that evening, Zelenskyy arrived in Oslo, Norway, where he met with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The two leaders signed a declaration on defense partnership.
On April 15, Zelenskyy held discussions with the Speaker of the Norwegian Storting, Masud Gharahani, and political party leaders regarding the preparation of a Drone Deal and the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression by Russia against Ukraine, as well as the necessary steps for its implementation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received the Four Freedoms Award in the Netherlands, where he addressed recent Russian attacks and emphasized the need for justice for victims of aggression. His European tour includes discussions on military aid and the establishment of a Special Tribunal for war crimes.