Ceremony marking one year of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine
24.02.2023
One year after the Russian armed aggression against Ukraine and the start of a full-scale war, a ceremony was held at NATO Headquarters to commemorate the victims of Russian terror and to pay tribute to the defenders of Ukraine. The event was organized by the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to NATO and the Romanian and Ukrainian Delegations to NATO.
During the event, the Deputy Secretary General of NATO Mircea Geoana and the Permanent Representatives of Poland, Romania and Ukraine spoke. In his speech, the Deputy Permanent Representative Damian Przeniosło, emphasized the importance of the war for global security and stability in the world and warned that it should not be perceived as a regional conflict; he pointed to the decisive importance of the solidarity of NATO countries in the face of Russian aggression and reminded that Russia's defeat is a condition for a sovereign and independent Europe. He also recalled the unwavering support of Poland and other Allies for the struggling Ukraine:
I would like to reiterate today our continuous support for our neighbor. We will stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes. Setting the record straight on Russia’s lies is also a responsibility of ours. When Ukraine fights for its own freedom, the people of Ukraine fight also for the security of our continent. We will do everything we can to ensure that this war is finally over and start rebuilding Ukraine.
The event was accompanied by the opening of an exhibition of photos taken by Romanian journalists in Ukraine and the presentation of two videos prepared in cooperation with TVP on Russian war crimes and forced deportations.
The event was attended by Permanent Representatives of the Member States and partner countries, the leadership of the North Atlantic Alliance and employees of the NATO HQ.
Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Poland to NATO
