Statement of Ambassador Borys Tarasyuk at the commemorative event

24 February 2025

Dear Secretary General,

Dear President of the Parliamentary Assembly,

Dear Chair of the Committee of Ministers,

Excellencies, colleagues, dear friends,

Three years ago, in the early hours of February 24, 2022, the world witnessed the unthinkable: a full-scale war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Three years of unimaginable pain, suffering, and destruction. Three years of heroic resistance. Three years of unwavering determination to defend our land, our people, and the values that unite us as a European family.

This being said, one should never forget, that the aggression started in 2014, not in 2022.

Today, we remember the thousands of innocent lives stolen by this war—women, men, children—whose only "crime" was living in a free and independent Ukraine. We honor the bravery of our soldiers, the resilience of our citizens, and the unbreakable spirit of a nation that refuses to bow to tyranny.

But today is not only a day of mourning. It is a day of commitment. A commitment to justice. A commitment to accountability. A commitment to ensuring that aggression never prevails over peace, that darkness never extinguishes light. Ukraine fights not only for its survival but for the future of Europe, for the very principles upon which this Council of Europe stands: human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

The road ahead remains difficult, but we do not walk it alone. The solidarity of our partners, the unity of democratic nations, and the strength of our shared values will lead us to victory. Ukraine will prevail. Justice will be served. And peace—true, lasting peace—will return to our land.

Slava Ukraini!

Thank you.