Volodymyr Zelensky - speech to the Romanian people

Following the recent massacre in the city of Bucha, the Ukrainian President addressed the Romanian Parliament via online video conference on Monday.

The Romanian Prime Minister and the members of his Cabinet also attended the meeting yesterday. A moment of silence for the Ukrainian victims of the war was kept ahead of the reunion.

Before his speech, President Zelensky showed the Parliament images of the recent massacre in the Ukrainian town of Bucha.

“I apologize for these tough images, but this is the reality, as tough as the images.

“The name of our city Bucha will go down in the history of mass murders. More than 300 ordinary people were trotted out – tied with their hands behind their backs, shot in the back of the head or in the eyes.

“They want as many people as possible in war. This is reported on the Russian state agency, where only the official position is published. Anything that does not respect this does not pass censorship. They don’t even hide any more. If our army had not defended itself, what they did to Bucha would have been done on the entire territory of Ukraine. Teachers with the Ukrainian coat of arms in their homes were killed. But why don’t they hide themselves?“, Zelensky commented.

The Ukrainian President also appealed to the Romanian history and mentioned dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his communist regime.

“Nicolae Ceausescu was pulling down and isolating Romania. That regime was based only on repressions. The Romanian people raised and defended itself, toppling down that regime. Ceausescu could not be convinced of anything, the same way in Russia those who are giving the criminal orders cannot be convinced either,” Zelensky said.

He also mentioned that Moldova might be severely affected by the Russian invasion in the near future:

“Ukraine is not the last target of the Russian aggression. Moldova is just a step from Odessa. That’s why it is fundamental to also defend Moldova’s integrity. Ukraine is now deciding the fate of Eastern Europe”.

Moreover, Zelensky asked for Romania to stop all commercial relations and gas imports from Russia, called for more sanctions against Kremlin and also required help with the reconstruction of his country.

“New sanctions are needed, and Ukraine must be supported by receiving weapons. Now is decided who’s winning: freedom or tyranny.

“I am convinced that Romania and the Romanian companies will take part in the reconstruction programmes of Ukraine after the war. We need support to start a new life in Ukraine.

“Thank you to the entire Romanian people for the support granted to the refugees. When the situation allows, I want to start a dialogue with Romania for the protection of the Romanian minority in Ukraine, and to offer the entire endorsement. Slava Romania, Slava Ukraine”, Zelensky concluded.

The Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca reassured Ukraine that Romania will also endorse sanctions for the war crimes in the city of Bucha to the international criminal court. Moreover, Ciuca declared his country to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and highlighted that Romanians have offered unconditional help for the Ukrainian refugees.

“We will continue to help both the Ukrainians who remained to defend their country and the refugees with humanitarian help, fuel and necessary resources. We have set up the European humanitarian hub in Suceava, through which we transfer aid from all over the world, and we are ready to carry out this lasting effort, with the support of the EU, the United Nations and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as other partner states,” the PM declared.

Speakers from the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, Florin Citu and Marcel Ciolacu also stated that Vladimir Putin is a criminal that needs to be punished and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people. They also declared Russia must be isolated from the civilised world and condemned the atrocities committed by the Russian army since the beginning of the invasion on February 24.

Since the beginning of the war, President Zelensky addressed the parliaments of many states, with the goal of asking for help, as well as raise awareness about the catastrophic situation in Ukraine. He held speeches for officials in the UK, Canada, the United States, Germany, Italy, Israel and Poland, as well as for the European Parliament and the recent NATO summit.

 

Source: romaniajournal.ro