Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dedicated his Liberty Medal, which had been awarded to him by the US' National Constitution Center, to those who were fighting and supporting his nation's independence.
In a video message on Tuesday to the award ceremony in Philadelphia, Zelenskyy said "liberty is the main word for us and what really unites all Ukrainians" during the Russian invasion.
"When there is a mortal threat to freedom, everything else is not important. Millions of people are fighting and working to protect Ukraine. They are very different people. After the Russian full-scale invasion started, they all decided – 'we are here' and we will never give up our freedom," he said.
The medal was presented to Zelenskyy by US Senators Chris Coons and Rob Portman during their visit to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said he would use the award's prize money to rebuild and modernise a rehabilitation centre for veterans in Borodyanka, Ukraine.
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