Zelenskyy Accepts Four Freedoms Award in Netherlands, Highlights Fight for Freedom from Fear Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was presented with the International Four Freedoms Award in the Netherlands, honoring the Ukrainian people's courage during the ongoing war. Zelenskyy emphasized the critical need for freedom from fear and called for continued international support. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine accepted the prestigious International Four Freedoms Award on behalf of the Ukrainian people in Middelburg, Netherlands, on Thursday. This recognition honors their unwavering courage amidst years of relentless warfare. The ceremony, held in the historic town, was attended by prominent figures including Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Rob Jetten, underscoring the international significance of the award. The International Four Freedoms Award, inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's seminal 1941 speech, champions four fundamental human rights: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. The Roosevelt Foundation specifically cited Ukraine's courageous struggle for freedom and democracy under exceptionally challenging circumstances for the 2026 prize. Zelenskyy, addressing the gathering, poignantly acknowledged the immense suffering endured by his nation. He emphasized that the freedom to live without fear, a cornerstone of the award, remains an elusive goal for Ukraine. He articulated this deprivation as a freedom from destruction, from those who inflict it, and from those who aim to obliterate everything that constitutes a normal life. The Ukrainian leader did not shy away from identifying Russian President Vladimir Putin as a global menace and issued a fervent appeal to the international community for continued military, political, and legal support. The devastating impact of the war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, displaced millions of Ukrainians, and reduced cities to rubble. Adding a personal touch to the event, Anne Roosevelt, granddaughter of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, highlighted the enduring relevance of the fight for freedom, noting that Ukraine's struggle mirrors the battles for liberty fought eighty years ago. The 2026 laureates also included the Committee to Protect Journalists, recognized for their work in safeguarding Freedom of Speech, and Gisele Pelicot, an activist who bravely shared her story of overcoming a harrowing ordeal, receiving the award for Freedom from Fear. For reasons of security, the recipient of the Freedom of Worship award was not publicly named. Chilean activist Isidora Uribe Silva was honored with the award for Freedom from Want. The illustrious roster of past recipients of the Four Freedoms Awards includes distinguished individuals such as former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, and the late South African President Nelson Mandela, further cementing the significance of this year's award to Ukraine