The world as we knew it changed radically on February 24, 2022. On that day, and every day since, the lives of millions of Ukrainian families were upended. In a matter of moments, many had to give up everything. Eight million Ukrainians, the equivalent of the population of Austria (or Andalusia, the most populous autonomous community in Spain), were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in the European Union. Another six million became internally displaced. The world has also changed for all of us who are witnessing the brutality, injustice, flagrant violation of international law, terror, disrespect for human rights and war crimes that, one year later, continue to be committed in Ukrainian sovereign territory. We all want peace. Especially the Ukrainians. The absolute idea of Europe is based on peace. But peace without freedom and peace without justice are not peace at all. Related news standard No Zelenski, in Brussels: “I am here to defend the European way of life that Russia wants to destroy” Enrique Serbeto The Ukrainian president delivered energetic speeches, where he asked to materialize support for Ukraine with more weapons In his speech in the European Parliament Just two weeks ago, President Zelensky outlined how he sees Europe as a continent imbued with norms, values, equality and fairness, and a place where Ukraine is decidedly at home. The Kremlin, on the other hand, he claimed, is doing everything possible to destroy European values. Therefore, we will continue to support Ukraine. Its citizens depend on it. Europe depends on it. Peace depends on it. We stand by the countless families that have been stripped of everything. We stand on the side of the Ukrainian defense forces fighting for freedom, democracy and a rules-based world order. We are on the side of those who fight for us. For this reason, the European Parliament calls for the creation of a special court that can bring to justice all those responsible for war crimes. Crimes that do not prescribe. Crimes we cannot ignore. “The European Parliament calls for the creation of a special court that can bring to justice all those responsible for war crimes” Roberta Metsola President of the European Parliament For this reason, the European Union must continue to press sanctions against Russia, people and entities that support Putin’s illegal war, and that is also why we must put pressure on other countries and private companies that continue to deal with the Kremlin. Russia cannot be dealt with as it has been done up to now. Looking ahead, the European Parliament wants to start planning for liberation day. For the accession of Ukraine to the Union. An objective for which each candidate country has its own path, but for which we must open negotiations as soon as possible. The prospect of accession will help, not only from a moral and symbolic point of view, but also with a view to rebuilding a free Ukraine. This will involve not only the far-reaching physical reconstruction of Ukraine, but also that of its administrative, governance and justice systems. It will require hard work and difficult reforms. It will require bold changes and decisions. The European Parliament and multiple Union programs can help. But if the last year has shown anything, it is that the Ukrainian people are among the bravest, most resilient and impressive examples of a people who fight and win against adversity. He deserves our unwavering support. We are one. Ukraine is Europe. Europe is Ukraine. ABOUT THE AUTHOR ROBERTA METSOLA Born in Malta in 1979, Roberta Metsola is a lawyer and member of the Nationalist Party. An MEP since 2013, she was elected President of the European Parliament in January 2022, becoming the youngest in the institution’s history. Until then, she held the first vice-presidency of the EP and had acted as acting president after the sudden death of President David Sassoli on January 11, 2022. Metsola is the third president of the European Parliament, after Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999-2002).
