This airport has witnessed Ukraine's darkest hour. Those fateful moments are etched forever in our collective memory. The flames, rising from the tarmac to the sky. The swarms of Russian helicopters, flying low along the river. The columns of tanks, descending fast from the border with Belarus. Exactly two years ago, it felt like everything was lost, and Kyiv would fall within days. But Kyiv stood strong. Your courage stood in Putin's way. You did not flee or flinch.

   A small contingent of Ukrainian heroes held back the invader, fighting to your last bullet and your last breath. And you managed to stop Russia's attack towards the heart of Ukraine. You saved your country. You saved all of Europe. And today, we are here from across Europe and the world to pay tribute to your bravery.