Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has explained why Ukrainians will now celebrate Europe Day on May 9.

"Evil, unfortunately, has returned. Just as 80 years ago evil was advancing toward our cities and villages, it is doing the same now... We are not alone in the fight against evil. We are fighting it, relying on the joint strength of the peoples of the free world," Zelenskyy said on his Telegram channel.

According to him, the tradition of celebrating Europe Day "to commemorate achieved peace and unity" was established many years ago.

"From tomorrow on, we will annually on May 9 honour our historical unity – the unity of all Europeans who destroyed Nazism and defeated racism. This will be Europe Day, which has been supporting Ukrainians for nine years of Russian aggression and already 439 days of the full-scale invasion. This will be Europe Day, which helps us fight on all fronts. This will be Europe Day – our ally. This will be Europe Day – our Europe, which Ukraine has always been, is, and will be a part of," Zelenskyy underlined.

Earlier, Zelenskyy had signed a decree to celebrate Europe Day annually on May 9 in Ukraine.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will visit Ukraine on May 9.

Read also: Together with Europe, not with Russia. What Ukraine should celebrate on May 9 (editorial by European Pravda, Ukrainian)