Slavjanka Petrovska presented with Order of Princess Olga in Kyiv
The award, granted by President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2023, honours Petrovska’s role in strengthening Ukraine’s defence while she served as North Macedonia’s defence minister.
Former defence minister and current member of parliament Slavjanka Petrovska was today in Kyiv presented with the Order of Princess Olga, first class. The decoration had been awarded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2023 for Petrovska’s personal contribution to strengthening Ukraine’s defence capacities during her tenure as North Macedonia’s defence minister.
Recognition handed over by deputy presidential aide
The medal was handed to Petrovska by Igor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. Petrovska expressed gratitude to President Zelensky and said Ukraine can continue to count on her principled support.
In a Facebook post Petrovska wrote: "This recognition I do not experience only as personal. It is recognition for our state, for the professionals in defence and for the decisions by which Macedonia showed it is a principled and credible ally. When Ukraine was attacked, we did not choose silence. We stood on the side of international law, sovereignty and the right of every state to defend its freedom. When we defend Ukraine's right to freedom and sovereignty, we defend the same international order that protects small states like ours."
During the visit Petrovska and Zhovkva also discussed Ukraine’s current needs. The deputy head of the presidential office expressed the expectation that North Macedonia will continue to support Ukraine both bilaterally and within international initiatives.
"We value North Macedonia's support for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and the international efforts to compensate for losses caused by Russia, and we eagerly await the ratification of the relevant international conventions by the parliament," Zhovkva said during the meeting.
Zhovkva also raised the issue of recognizing the Holodomor as genocide in the Macedonian parliament, calling such a step important for restoring historical justice, and thanked the country for its continued support in Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.
Photo: Slavjanka Petrovska (Fejsbuk)
