The term 'ruscism' is a portmanteau, or blend, of the words 'Russia' and 'fascism,' and is used to describe the totalitarian ideology employed by Russian President Putin. 'We will commemorate our historical unity, the unity of all European peoples who destroyed Nazism and will defeat ruscism,' Zelenskyy said. Ukraine will follow European tradition and celebrate Europe Day on May 9 Image: Andreas Franke/picture alliance
Tuesday marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which proposed a new form of political cooperation in Europe that would make war between European nations unthinkable. Now, Zelenskyy wants to decree May 9 as Europe Day instead, following the annual date the European Union (EU) celebrates peace and unity in Europe. Since 2015, Ukraine has marked May 8 as the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation and May 9 as Victory Day, following Soviet tradition. 'It is on May 8th that most nations of the world commemorate the great victory over Nazism,' Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated as he proposed a bill to parliament that would make this the date Ukraine celebrated the defeat of Nazism in World War II.