Middelburg, Netherlands – In a solemn ceremony held today in the Dutch city of Middelburg, the Roosevelt Foundation awarded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy its prestigious Four Freedoms International Award. This recognition was given in appreciation of his exceptional courage and the resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of the comprehensive Russian military operation, now in its fifth year.
Steadfast leadership and a resilient people.
During the ceremony, held at the New Church in Zealand County—the birthplace of the ancestors of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt—the foundation’s president, Hugo de Jong, praised the Ukrainian leadership, saying: “We commend the unwavering courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people, and the steadfast and resolute leadership of their President Volodymyr Zelensky.”
For his part, after receiving a standing ovation from the audience, President Zelenskyy requested a minute of silence in mourning for the victims of the Russian bombing last night, which killed at least 16 people. He emphasized that his country’s struggle is a struggle for the humanitarian principles upon which this prize was founded.
An embodiment of Roosevelt’s principles
The Roosevelt Foundation was established in 1982 to honor individuals and organizations that embody the four freedoms outlined by Roosevelt in his famous 1941 speech: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. With this honor, Zelensky joins a historic list that includes leaders such as Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, and Angela Merkel.
Other honorees and an “unattained” award
The Freedom from Fear Award was given to Frenchwoman Gisèle Pellecou, a survivor of sexual assault, in recognition of her courage in confronting trauma.
Freedom of Expression Award: Received by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) for its role in protecting the truth globally.
The Freedom from Need Award: Won by Chilean Isidora Uribe Silva, a fighter for disability rights and gender equality.
In an exceptional move, the foundation did not officially announce the winner of this year’s Freedom of Religion Award, citing serious security concerns surrounding the chosen individual or organization. This reflects the current global climate of tension. The award serves as a powerful message of international support for Kyiv at a time of increasing pressure on the ground. It also reaffirms that democratic values and fundamental freedoms remain the driving force behind the international alliances supporting Ukraine in its ongoing conflict.
