Editor’s Note: On July 9, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he would cancel the country’s tradition of holding a military parade on Independence Day on Aug. 24. Instead, the money will be spent on bonuses for Ukrainian soldiers. The Kyiv Post asked people on the streets of Kyiv what they think about this decision.
Lubov Klepych, unemployed
“It’s a super good idea to call off this parade. Every year we spend an immense amount of money in vain — just to give people a reason to take a walk around the city. People can go for a walk without a military parade taking place, and not just on Independence Day. It is wiser to spend this money on improving soldiers’ lives instead.”
Dmytro Aradovsky, businessman
“Still, we must pay tribute to people who fight for the independence of our Ukraine. It must take place at least because we should make soldiers feel like heroes. If they are deprived of this feeling, what would they do on Independence Day? Parades aren’t just about clinking the metal of military machines or showing off our military power. Maybe in Russia, it is still done for this purpose, but in Ukraine this is a holiday for those who defend the country.”
Nataliia Stepura, PR specialist
“It’s a wonderful idea! There’s no use in having a parade. We demonstrate our power, our military machines every year, but the war in Donbas hasn’t stopped. It’s been going on and on for five years. It sounds more reasonable to take the money that’s spent on parades in Kyiv and use it to help soldiers in Donbas.”
Oksana Ozaryna, associate professor
“I am all for a parade on Independence Day because, apart from money, there exists patriotism. Ukrainians need a parade to feel defended, especially given that Ukraine is in a state of war. It will be all right if there are no tanks, but I would love to see our soldiers still. How else would you explain to the citizens that they are safe?”
Valentyna Bakay, retiree
“Our president is the only one who decides, of course, but there has to be people’s will too! Our warriors die, suffer. So there must be a parade to pay tribute to them and revere their memory. We should pay homage to those who perform their duty by holding a parade.”
Yuriy Ganichenko, analytic
“I am positive about canceling a parade this year. It is better to give this money directly to the army. I admit it’s a big question whether it may be more expedient to create the image of a powerful army (by having a grandiose military parade) than to spend money on something less visible. But I still think that it’s better to send the money to the frontline — to the soldiers — than to wait for a hypothetical image improvement after the parade.”
Ihor Zavadskiy, professor
“A parade is a demonstration of our power! How much will we save if we cancel it? If a parade is very expensive, I will protest myself. But if its price is about $3 million, then we must have it: We should show how powerful our army is. The army is one of the symbols of a country. And a military parade lifts people’s spirit and shows others that we have a fist to fight with.”
