KYIV. Nov 21 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted on bringing the investigation into the killings during the events on Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti) in the center of Kyiv in 2014 to an end.
"A museum is not enough to commemorate the dead. Of course, we need real results of the investigation into the Maidan events. The families of the dead and the public must receive answers, and those responsible must be punished," Zelensky said in his speech at the site of the future Dignity Revolution Museum in central Kyiv on Thursday.
The Ukrainians need unity and consolidation to defend their country's independence and their freedom like never before, he said.
"Historically, Ukrainians have always demonstrated unity and incredible consolidation in difficult periods. We stand by each other regardless of our age, gender, and faith. And today, like never before, we need such unity to defend our country, our independence, freedom, and the right to choose our future on our own," Zelensky said.
Ukraine marks the Day of Dignity and Freedom on November 21, commemorating the start of the Orange Revolution in 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity in 2013. This day was marked as the Day of Freedom from 2005 to 2011 but was virtually abolished during Viktor Yanukovych's presidency. Fifth Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko reinstated the day's official status in 2014.
February 18-20, 2014, were the bloodiest dates during the Maidan events in Kyiv, as 80 activists and 13 law enforcement officials were killed in a standoff in the city center. Former Ukrainian prosecutor general Yuriy Lutsenko said in early 2019 that the pretrial investigation into these crimes had been completed.