The Knight of Freedom is an annual award granted at the international Warsaw Security Forum conference.
This year, the Casimir Pulaski Foundation, which organises the event, decided to give the Knight of Freedom Award to the people of Ukraine, for their brave and defiant resistance to the Russian invasion, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The prize was received on Tuesday by Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska, who addressed the Warsaw Security Forum earlier in the day as a guest of honour.
'Ukraine is invincible'
Lithuania's Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė delivered a laudatory speech, saying that, thanks to the strength of its people, shown during the Orange Revolution, the Revolution of Dignity and the Russian invasion, "Ukraine is invincible."
She added that the courage of the Ukrainian nation "is changing the world and making everyone decide which side of history they want to be on," according to the PAP news agency.
'For our freedom and yours'
Picking up the award, Zelenska paid tribute to the people of Ukraine.
She also thanked Poland and its citizens "for giving Ukraine spiritual armour every day."
In her speech, Ukraine's first lady referred to Poland's famous motto, "For our freedom and yours."
The Knight of Freedom Award is granted to people who help advance values espoused by Polish and American independence hero General Casimir Pulaski, including freedom, justice and democracy, according to officials.
The prize has the form of a replica of General Pulaski's sabre, reporters were told.
Past awardees include ex-NATO chief Javier Solana of Spain, Poland's Solidarity leader, former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Wałęsa, and Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny, the PAP news agency reported.
Held annually since 2014, the Warsaw Security Forum brings together government officials, decision makers and experts from various countries to discuss security in Central Europe as well as international policy issues and transatlantic relations.
Tuesday was day 223 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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Source: PAP, wnp.pl
