British News Agency

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, in a statement marking Mandela Day, said: “Madiba’s understanding of courage remains an inspiring example for confronting the challenges we face in today’s world.”

Recalling Mandela’s quote, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it,” Sybiha emphasized that the international community must likewise uphold common ideals, norms of international law, and principles of humanity with the same resolve.

Minister Sybiha noted that during his visit to South Africa last year, he paid tribute to Mandela, and a memorial plaque was unveiled in Freedom Park in honor of Hennadii Udovenko, one of the founders of Ukrainian diplomacy. Udovenko had contributed to the struggle for justice and freedom as co-chair of the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid.

Sybiha concluded: “Since that day, we have seen the fight for freedom as a shared value. Let us honor Mandela’s memory with common humanity and action.”