Hi u tindirizza s-sessjoni plenarja straordinarja li tfakkar erba’ snin mill-gwerra ta’ aggressjoni tar-Russja kontra l-Ukrajna, il-President tal-Parlament Ewropew Roberta Metsola qalet li l-Parlament Ewropew ma ddiżappuntax lill-Ukrajna.
Dear Members, Today we mark four years since Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. On the 24th of February 2022, as tanks rolled across European borders and war descended on our continent, Russia thought they could take Ukraine in days - Ukrainians proved them wrong. They keep going. Refusing to give in. Standing defiant in the face of almost unimaginable daily hardships, through the depths of gruelling winters, even as drones fall indiscriminately and Russian missiles target women and children. That is why today, we honour the bravery of the Ukrainian people. We reaffirm our concrete support. And we recommit our efforts for a real and lasting peace. Today we will be joined in a few moments remotely by President Zelenskyy again in this chamber. When I first met with the President in Kyiv I promised him that this Parliament would support Ukraine. And four years on, thanks to your efforts, all of us together dear colleagues, we have not let Ukraine down. Because we know that when we stand together, Ukraine and Europe stand strong. Our actions are not solely based on altruism. We act because we know what is at stake for all of us. And I am proud of what we have done together. Whether by supporting Ukrainian society by delivering 200 billion euros of support to help keep everyday life possible for millions of people. Whether it is delivering generators to keep the lights and heating on in hospitals, in schools, in bomb shelters. Whether it was supercharging Ukraine’s defence capabilities to help those on the front lines and their families at home. And we will keep stepping up our support. Later today, we will sign into law a 90 billion euro loan to shore up essential public services and keep Ukraine’s defences strong. Sending a clear message to every Ukrainian: your security is Europe’s security. Your freedom is Europe’s freedom. And your future is in Europe. And we will keep working to make that happen. President Zelenskyy, dear Volodymyr, the floor is yours.