From one moment to the next, many had to abandon everything. Eight million Ukrainians, the equivalent population of Austria (one fifth of the country's population) were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in the European Union. Another 6 million became internally displaced.
The world also changed for all of us who are witnessing the brutality, the injustice, the blatant violation of international law, the terror, disrespect for human rights, the war crimes that, a year later, are still being committed on sovereign Ukrainian territory.
We all want peace. The Ukrainians the most. The whole European idea is built on peace. But, peace without freedom and peace without justice is no peace at all.
Speaking in the European Parliament just two weeks ago President Zelenskyy outlined how he sees Europe as a continent steeped in rules, values, equality and fairness, and a place where Ukraine is firmly at home. The Kremlin, on the other hand, he said, is doing its utmost to destroy European values.
European Parliament is calling for a Special Tribunal