European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was invited to addresses Members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. In her speech, she speaks about the European Parliament's support for Ukraine, with concrete initiatives. She also promised Ukrainian people that they can count on the European Parliament.
© European Union | European Parliament President Roberta Metsola
Dear friends,
If the scenes in Ukraine are difficult to see on TV, I can only imagine what daily life must be like for you.
Tragically, it is four weeks now, since war has returned to Europe and Putin’s shelling continues to destroy lives and dreams.
We must be clear: What is happening in Mariupol and across Ukraine are war crimes. Those responsible - all those responsible - must be held to account. Our International Criminal Court must have the support it needs to fulfil its role.
I want to tell you that your courage, your resilience, your fight have not only pushed back against the Kremlin, but have inspired the world.
Russia’s invasion into Ukraine is part of the Kremlin’s destabilisation agenda. It is a path that brings Putin in direct confrontation with Europe and the rule-based world-order. It is a path that we will not allow him to walk unchallenged.
I want you to know that Europe stands united with you and with the people you represent.
The Ukrainian people are showing the world, what it means to be brave, what it means to have the courage of your convictions, what it means to stand up to autocracy. You are showing the world that no amount of aggression or terror can intimidate. You prove that when you believe in the will of the people and in democracy, then no tank can break you.
The European Union recognises Ukraine’s European perspective and your aspiration to be a candidate country for accession. You can count on the European Parliament’s support in this process.
Our statements have translated into actions.
For Ukraine, the European Union has shown practical solidarity with a package of €1.2 billion in macro-financial assistance.
We are also providing €500 million for the purchase and delivery of weapons, equipment and aid to Ukraine under attack - and I expect that this will soon be doubled.
Almost 3.6 million people have been forced to leave Ukraine, and EU Member States and countries across the world are rallying support. The generosity displayed by European citizens in welcoming your compatriots, is testimony to the fact it is ordinary people that are opening their homes and their hearts. Because we understand.
Against Russia, we have implemented a series of massive, unprecedented, severe sanctions. We are crippling Russia’s economy that is re-living shortages reminiscent of the past. This unjustified war must be the costliest decision ever taken by Putin.
European citizens, organisations, businesses, and the world of sport have taken a clear stand against Russia’s actions. We know that with all these measures, Russia’s business sector is suffering.
We have halted the Nordstream 2 project.
We have moved for Russian banks to be disconnected from the SWIFT system.
We have banned Kremlin propaganda tools and hope to do more to support the solid voice of Russian people who oppose the war led by Putin at the peril of their lives. And we are also attentive to the situation in neighbouring countries: Moldova, Belarus and Georgia.
In all this, you can count on us.
The European Parliament also stands with the Rada in protecting Parliamentary democracy. Even in practical terms.
Together we are developing a bilingual EP-RADA web space to give Ukraine’s democratic voice an online presence. With your help, this web portal shares content so that the world can hear you speak.
We have created the Ukrainian Civil Society Hub in our premises at the heart of Brussels. And of course practicalities such as having IT equipment to be able to work and to speak up, go without saying.
We have also reached out to 160 Parliaments on all continents to support your democracy.
Europe stands for a way of life that embraces freedom and democracy.
And there is no doubt, that this Europe belongs to you too.
Slava Ukraini. You can read the President's speech in Ukrainian here.