Zelenskyy to the Riigikogu: Thank you for being on the side of freedom

NordenBladet —

Zelenskyy said in his speech in the Session Hall of the Riigikogu that it was symbolic from the point of view of the history of Estonia and Ukraine that 24 February had acquired a new meaning. “On this day, Estonia celebrates and will always celebrate the independence of its republic. And it was on 24 February when today’s rulers of Russia attempted to renew their old Soviet or Russian or hybrid empire by attacking Ukraine. On 24 February, we did not break – all of us, our people, our friends and all the free world,” he said.

Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine had decided for itself that they would fight, and the free nations of the world supported them. “Some supported from the very beginning, like Estonia, and I am thankful to you for this. Some supported later on, and we also value that. Now, most of the world is on the side of Ukraine, on the side of international law, and against the genocidal aggression of Russia,” he said, and added that 24 February could have changed history towards new enslavement, but history made a turn towards greater freedom, greater independence and greater European resilience than anybody had foreseen.

Zelenskyy underlined how important it was to win this fight that was going on, and not only because it was a fight for Ukrainian people, cities and communities, which Russia is trying to turn into ruins. “We need to win this fight not only because the fate of our state is decided in it, and also the fate of all other states and nations that border on Russia. In this fight, it will be decided what will be the global attitude to freedom at present, and after us and our children and grandchildren. Freedom must know how to win by standing against tyranny,” he said, and added that therefor the war Russia had started against Ukraine had significance for all nations who valued their freedom or who desired to be free.

The President of Ukraine said that he was sincerely grateful that Estonia was with Ukraine. “I thank you for each package of support to our warriors, to our Ukrainian people. Thank you for the weapons with which you have helped. Thank you for the initiatives that indeed actually have an impact on the overall European course! Thank you for your resilience, for pressure on Russia and for making the aggressor really feel that the losses caused by the aggression are their losses,” he said.

Zelenskyy thinks that the whole free world needs to continue putting pressure on Russia. “Each scheme to bypass sanctions that Russia uses has to be blocked. All assets that Russia or the people connected with them have tried to hide in the jurisdictions of the world have to be frozen and used for defending Ukraine against Russian aggression and contributing to Ukraine’s restoration after this war,” he stated, and added that each defence industry that currently existed or could be established in Europe and could help Europe to protect freedom should work 100 per cent.

Zelenskyy also highlighted that Europe would endure only when it was a continent of unity. “We have all demonstrated the highest level of unity. And I am grateful to you for how you defend this unity, how you defend joint interests. I am grateful for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and how you help our people, the Ukrainians. This is also a demonstration of unity, of real Europeanness. And especially for our people who have searched shelter from the war and found it in Estonia. I am thankful to you for this. I am thankful to you for this warmth, for your solidarity with us, and of course for choosing independence and freedom on 24 February,” he said.

President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar said in the Session Hall of the Riigikogu that in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Estonia had stood firmly with Ukraine and would continue to do so. “Your fight is also our fight,” he said, and added, “This war must end with Ukraine’s victory, with the victory of the free world.”

After the speech, the members of the Riigikogu posed for a photo with the President of Ukraine in the Session Hall. Before the speech, the president of Ukraine signed the Riigikogu guest book in the White Hall and posed for official photos with the President of the Riigikogu and the delegation that consisted of members of the Board of the Riigikogu and Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committee, National Defence Committee and European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu as well as the leaders of the Estonia-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Verbatim record (in Estonian)

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Video recording of the speech can be viewed on the Riigikogu YouTube channel in Estonian, English and Ukrainian.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Zelenskyy to the Riigikogu: Thank you for being on the side of freedom

Source: Parliament of Estonia