Tuesday, 28 February 2023
24 February 2023 marked one year since the beginning of the Russian offensive against Ukraine. A year in which this unprovoked and heinous war continues with unabated intensity, having already caused enormous losses in human lives and critical infrastructure. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, a conflict in the heart of Europe, revived grim images that we thought had been forever buried under the rubble of the destruction left behind by the Second World War.
Cyprus, itself a victim of forty-nine years of invasion and occupation of part of its territory by Turkey, condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine from the very first moment. On the very first day of the invasion, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.
One year later, from the same platform, we reaffirm Cyprus' unwavering solidarity and support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their titanic struggle to defend their independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within their internationally recognized borders, as well as our common European principles and values. We express our full support for the suffering Ukrainian people and stress that war crimes and crimes against humanity must not go unpunished.
Cyprus, regardless of the cost, fully aligned itself with the decisions and measures taken against the aggressor and supports every effort to ensure full accountability for the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed in Ukraine.
The aim of all our efforts is to end the war, restore stability and establish peace, security and stability in Ukraine and, by extension, on the European continent. Maintaining and further strengthening the unity, collegiality and determination that currently characterise the European Union and its Member States in the face of this unprecedented threat is our great gamble, which we must definitely win if we are to be able to hope for a better tomorrow for ourselves and our children.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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