Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received the International Four Freedoms Award on behalf of the Ukrainian people, pausing for a minute’s silence in memory of victims of overnight Russian attacks.
The award recognises Ukraine’s resilience and defence of democratic values since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Inspired by a 1941 speech by former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the prize reflects four fundamental freedoms: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
The Roosevelt Foundation said the 2026 award was presented to Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people in recognition of their “courageous struggle for freedom and democracy under exceptionally difficult conditions”.
Addressing the ceremony, Zelenskyy said the freedom to live without fear remains out of reach for Ukrainians.
“This fundamental freedom is something we still do not have,” he said, referring to the destruction caused by the war. He spoke of the need for “freedom from ruins, freedom from those who create ruins, freedom from those who seek to destroy everything that matters to ordinary people”.
He described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a global threat and called on the international community to sustain military, political and legal support for Ukraine.
The war has killed hundreds of thousands of people, displaced millions and devastated cities across the country since the invasion began.
Ceremony in the Netherlands
The award was presented in the southern Dutch city of Middelburg, in the presence of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
Members of the Roosevelt family also attended. Anna Roosevelt, the former US president’s granddaughter, said the war in Ukraine shows that the struggle for freedom remains as relevant today as it was 80 years ago.
Who else was honoured
The Committee to Protect Journalists received the award for "freedom of speech". French activist Gisèle Pelicot was honoured for "freedom from fear", following a high-profile case in which her husband was convicted of orchestrating her abuse.
Organisers said the recipient of the "freedom of worship" award could not be named due to security concerns. Chilean activist Isidora Uribe Silva received the award for "freedom from want".
Previous recipients include Kofi Annan, Angela Merkel, Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela.
Source: AMNA