Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Independence means different things to different people: for some it's victory in the war, for others a strong army, social unity, or accession to the EU.
On Ukraine's Independence Day 24 Channel asked well-known people when, in their opinion, Ukraine will be truly independent. The answers were very different — from the need to defeat Russia to reforms, unity, and each Ukrainian's personal responsibility.
"When Ukrainians understand mutual obligation"
Oleksandr Borodin, spokesman for the Third Army Corps, believes that independence begins with responsibility not only of the state toward its citizens but also of the Ukrainians themselves toward the country.
Ukraine will be truly independent when Ukrainians understand the mutual obligation: that independence is the main thing that is needed from the country for Ukrainians and from Ukrainians for the country,
– says Borodin.
In his view, independence is not only a formal status of the state but a mutual responsibility between society and the country.
Oleksandr Borodin / Instagram: olexandrbo
"When the men gather their nerves into fists"
Azov brigade officer Spider links true independence primarily to the end of the war.
Ukraine will be truly independent when the men of Ukraine gather their nerves into fists and go to war. To end it quickly,
– said the defender.
His answer is about the price of independence that Ukraine continues to pay in the war with Russia.
"When it is united"
Volodymyr Adamchuk, priest of the Garrison Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, speaks about another foundation of independence — the unity of society.
Ukraine will be truly independent when it is united. One person can be broken, but people united by culture, faith, traditions, and love cannot be broken,
– noted the clergyman.
According to him, it is precisely shared values and a sense of belonging to one community that can protect Ukraine from attempts to break it.
Fr. Volodymyr Adamchuk / Kapelanstvo.INFO
"When it becomes a Central European tiger"
Historian and publicist, professor at the Ukrainian Catholic University Yaroslav Hrytsak looks at independence more broadly — through Ukraine's future in Europe.
Ukraine will be truly independent when it joins the European Union, implements reforms, and becomes a Central European tiger. Ukraine has every opportunity for that. I see no obstacles to it not happening,
– Hrytsak is convinced.
The historian admits that he may not see this moment in his lifetime but confesses he would very much like to witness it.
"When Putin recognizes this fact"
For former foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, the answer is directly tied to the end of Russian aggression and international recognition of Ukrainian sovereignty.
Ukraine will be truly independent when it exists as an independent sovereign European state, and Putin recognizes this fact,
– the politician believes.
Dmytro Kuleba / Dmytro Kuleba's Facebook page
"When no one will have the right to revise our past"
Volunteer and civic activist Serhiy Prytula joined the respondents. He emphasized that true independence for him is Ukraine's ability to independently define its history and future without interference from other states.
…When no one in the world — neither our closest neighbors, our aggressive neighbors, nor our European partners — will have the right to revise our past, our history, and will not have the right to tell us how we, Ukrainians, should determine our future. When that happens, then we can safely pop the champagne. For now, we are on the way to that,
– Prytula said.
"Freedom of choice and willingness to fight"
Former Kherson mayor, released from Russian captivity, Volodymyr Mykolayenko emphasized that the mere absence of a foreign flag over Ukrainian institutions does not yet mean true independence. He said it begins with freedom of choice and each Ukrainian's awareness of personal responsibility.
Every Ukrainian will understand that the absence of another state's flag over our administrative buildings and others is not yet a sign of independence. Probably when we understand that we have the freedom of choice, the freedom to do what we want and what is needed, and the freedom to fight for what we consider necessary,
– Mykolayenko said.
He also stressed that independence cannot be received as a gift from someone else.
And most importantly — that we understand we must give our lives for it every day, and that no Ukrainian should believe someone will come and fight for him and give him this independence,
– summed up the former mayor of Kherson.
Volodymyr Mykolayenko / Suspilne
"When we have a stronger civil society"
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych believes that true independence of Ukraine is impossible without a strong and cohesive society.
Ukraine will be truly independent when we have more civil society and when we are united,
– said the athlete.
"When each of us is free inside"
Lviv mayor Andriy Sadovyi believes that true independence of the state begins with the internal freedom of each Ukrainian.
Ukraine will be truly independent when each of us is internally free and independent, because a free state is built by free people. I believe in Ukrainians, because we are free from birth, as God created us that way,
– Sadovyi said.
Andriy Sadovyi / Andriy Sadovyi's Facebook page
The answers of Ukrainians show that the concept of independence for Ukrainians today is much broader than the date of the declaration of independence in 1991. For some it's responsibility and unity, for others victory in the war, for others reforms and EU membership, and for others the final recognition of Ukrainian sovereignty by Russia.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "Коли Україна стане по-справжньому незалежною: відомі українці дали щирі відповіді". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: Channel 24.