The King’s Commissioner of Zeeland Hugo de Jonge, right, and the Mayor of Middelburg Yvonne van Mastrigt, left, welcome Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the International Four Freedoms Award ceremony in Middelburg, Netherlands.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was awarded the prestigious International Four Freedoms Award at a ceremony for his and his nation’s courage and resilience in resisting the full-scale invasion launched more than four years ago by Russia.

The honor was bestowed by the Roosevelt Foundation, created in 1982 to present awards honoring the Four Freedoms outlined by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1941 State of the Union address — freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

“We pay the highest tribute to the unwavering courage and enduring perseverance of the Ukrainian people and to the steadfast and resolute leadership of their president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” the chair of the foundation said.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to Zelenskyy at the ceremony, saying, “It speaks volumes that you only agreed to accept this award if you could do so on behalf of all the people of Ukraine.”

Previous winners of the international award include Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Germany’s former Chancellor Angela Merkel, and organizations including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

French rape survivor Gisele Pelicot received the Freedom from Fear Award; the Committee to Protect Journalists received the Freedom of Speech Award; Isidora Uribe Silva from Chile, who has cerebral palsy, earned the Freedom from Want Award for her years of campaigning for inclusion, equal human rights, and gender equality.

The winner of the Freedom of Worship Award was not announced publicly by the foundation, citing security concerns.

After the ceremony, Zelenskyy met with the Prime Minister. The country has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since the Russian invasion, including providing Patriot missiles and fighter jets. It was announced that the country was spending 248 million euros on drones for the Ukrainian military.

With no plans announced for further U.S.-mediated talks with Russia, Zelenskyy had already visited three European capitals in 48 hours this week to try to secure promises of further military and financial support from Germany, Norway, and Italy. Germany and Ukraine agreed a defense package valued at 4 billion euros, and Norway has pledged 9 billion euros in assistance, officials said.

The Four Freedoms awards are presented in the New Church in Middelburg, in the province of Zeeland, where Roosevelt’s ancestors hail from.

International Four Freedoms Award

The International Four Freedoms Award is a prestigious honor presented annually by the Roosevelt Foundation in the Netherlands, inspired by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1941 “Four Freedoms” speech. It recognizes individuals and organizations worldwide who have made exceptional contributions to advancing freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. First awarded in 1982, its recipients include notable figures such as Nelson Mandela, the United Nations, and the International Court of Justice.

Roosevelt Foundation

The Roosevelt Foundation, established in 1987, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor. It is best known for creating and operating the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York—the first presidential library in the United States, which opened in 1941. The foundation’s mission is to promote their ideals of democracy, human rights, and social justice through educational programs and the stewardship of historical collections.

United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 after World War II to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. Headquartered in New York City, it replaced the failed League of Nations and now has 193 member states working through bodies like the General Assembly and Security Council to address global issues.

International Committee of the Red Cross

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral, impartial humanitarian organization founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1863, following the initiative of Henry Dunant after the Battle of Solferino. Its primary mandate, rooted in the Geneva Conventions, is to protect and assist victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence worldwide.

New Church in Middelburg

The New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) in Middelburg is a 15th-century Gothic church that serves as the main Protestant church of the city. It was built between 1458 and 1520, but suffered severe damage during the World War II bombing of Middelburg in 1940. The church was meticulously reconstructed in the post-war years, restoring its grand interior and iconic 85-meter tower, which dominates the city’s skyline.

Zeeland

Zeeland is a coastal province in the southwestern Netherlands, historically formed by a delta of the Scheldt, Meuse, and Rhine rivers. Its history is defined by a centuries-long struggle against the sea, most famously through the massive Delta Works—a system of dams, sluices, and storm surge barriers completed after the devastating North Sea flood of 1953. Today, it is known for its distinctive archipelago of islands, beaches, and a culture closely tied to maritime trade and land reclamation.

Germany

Germany is a country in Central Europe with a rich and complex history, shaped by the Holy Roman Empire, the Reformation, and its unification in 1871. It is known for its profound cultural contributions, from classical music and philosophy to its many UNESCO World Heritage sites, including medieval castles, cathedrals, and modern Bauhaus architecture. The 20th century was defined by the two World Wars, the division during the Cold War, and its peaceful reunification in 1990, after which it emerged as a leading economic and political power in the European Union.

Norway

Norway is a Scandinavian nation known for its dramatic fjords, Viking heritage, and deep connection to the sea. Historically, it was unified into a single kingdom around 900 AD and later formed unions with Denmark and Sweden before gaining full independence in 1905. Today, it is celebrated for its stunning natural landscapes, prosperous society, and cultural traditions like *koselig* (coziness) and outdoor life.