European Parliament awards Sakharov Prize to Ukrainian people

The European Parliament’s 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded to the brave people of Ukraine, represented by the President of Ukraine, elected leaders and civil society.

The relevant statement was made by President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola in her speech at the awarding ceremony, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Today, we are awarding the European Parliament’s most prestigious prize for freedom and human rights to the brave people of Ukraine, represented by their president, elected leaders and civil society. […] The Ukrainian people are not just fighting a war of independence, but fighting a war of values,” Metsola said.

In the course of the ceremony, a video of the Ukrainian cities destroyed was shown, and laureates were introduced, namely Yuliia Paievska (Taira), a volunteer and paramedic, who had been released from Russian captivity; Oleksandra Matviichuk, Head of the Center for Civil Liberties; Ivan Fedorov, Mayor of Melitopol; and the Ukrainian State Emergency Service.

“Today marks the 293rd day of war in Ukraine. We have witnessed the inspiring resistance of ordinary citizens making the ultimate sacrifice to delay a column of tanks. Senior citizens standing up to face down Russian troops with nothing but pride as their weapons. Brave women forced to give birth in underground metro stations,” Metsola mentioned.

In her words, the EU will stand alongside Ukraine in this fight, and this is why the eighth hard-hitting package of sanctions against Putin was adopted, and the ninth package will come soon.

“Let today’s award serve as a reminder of our unwavering support. And let it be dedicated to all those brave Ukrainian women and men on the ground. To all those who have welcomed with open hearts into our homes. And to all those who have lost their beloved family and friends. And I know that the brave people of Ukraine will not give up. And let me assure you that neither will we. Slava Ukraini,” Metsola stressed.

Following Metsola’s speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined the ceremony via video link.

“Greetings to you on behalf of all our people, it is a great honor for me. Greetings from all those who fight, who work for the sake of Ukraine and for the sake of freedom. […] We see such a crime now – Russia’s terrorist war against Ukraine and Europe. This was also the case in the past, when tyrannies tried to subjugate Ukrainians and deprive all Europeans of their freedom. But when we win now – Ukrainians and all Europeans – we will win in such a way that there will never again be attempts to deprive Europe and Ukraine of freedom. We will win in such a way that there will be no attempt to apply genocidal policy against our people again, both in Ukraine and throughout Europe,” the President of Ukraine emphasized.

According to Zelensky, it is necessary to act now and hold to account all those who started the war.

The President of Ukraine thanked everyone who helps to investigate the war crimes committed by Russian occupiers in Ukraine. Zelensky called for the establishment of a special tribunal for Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine.

Additionally, the European Parliament observed a minute of silence in memory of those who had fallen in the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine.

Photo: twitter.com/Europarl_EN

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