Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna took part in a meeting of the Committee on Democracy and Security at the spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly on 29 June in Vilnius.
In her statement, she told about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, which is rapidly deteriorating. In particular, the official noted that since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, tens of thousands of civilians have died. Almost 220,000 people have already lost their homes. Russia systematically violates the basic principles of international humanitarian and human law.
"Realising that it will not be able to win the war, russia is deliberately trying to destroy Ukraine, causing a huge humanitarian catastrophe," said Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna.
We call for Russia to be recognised as a sponsor of terrorism.
Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna
The Ukrainian official told the parliamentarians of NATO member states about the excesses and violence of Russian forces against Ukrainians in the occupied territories. Thus, in the face of logistical problems, Russian troops are looting locals and humanitarian convoys in the occupied territories. Unable to quell the resistance of the local population, the invaders launched a crackdown - Russian troops brutally persecute local leaders, journalists and activists, believing that the elimination of Ukrainian local elites would break the resistance and guarantee allegiance to Russia.
"We are grateful to our partners for the humanitarian support to Ukraine and shelter for Ukrainian refugees, for all the financial and technical assistance promptly provided to Ukraine. This strengthens our resilience, but we need more - more active involvement of international organizations in humanitarian aid, the creation of humanitarian corridors, the delivery of aid to medical facilities, the supply of critical food for civilians. We count on the help of countries and the leading role of NATO in this process," summed up Olha Stefanishyna.
