Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the Romanian Parliament on Monday evening, April 4, in the context of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. Zelensky’s speech comes as a response to Romania’s unconditional support of the Ukrainian people.
According to the official sources, Volodymyr Zelensky speaks by online means in the Romanian Parliament on Monday, April 4, in the evening, at 7 pm (EET)/6 pm (CET).
Given Ukraine’s situation, Romanian solidarity in the military context at its borders is remarkable. During Ukrainia’s most challenging time, Romania’s support consisted of more than refugee aid, ammunition, ballistic protection equipment, medicine, and medical assistance for the Ukrainian soldiers. Russia expressed dissatisfaction with Romania’s support for Ukraine.
However, Romania continues to offer its complete and unconditional support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders.
It is worth mentioning that during the EU leaders meeting in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appraised European countries, including Romania, on how they supported Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
Romania knows what dignity is and it will be with us at the crucial moment.
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian President
President Zelensky’s speech to Romania
Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a speech to the Romanian Parliament at 7 pm local time. He reminded the MPs of the Ceausescu regime and said there was a resemblance with the Russian one. Also, he asked for more sanctions against the Russian state, as the current ones are not stopping the war.
His key statements were:
- We must stop together this genocide in Europe.
- Ukraine is not the last target of Russia. We must also defend the independence of the Republic of Moldova
- I am sure Romania and Romanian companies will take part in Ukraine’s reconstruction after the war
- I thank all the Romanians for the help offered to the Ukrainian refugees
- I want to start a dialogue with Romania for protecting the Romanian minority in Ukraine and the Ukrainian minority in Romania.
President Zelensky finished his speech with the now-famous “Glory to Ukraine!”, before mentioning the same to Romania: “Glory to Romania!”.
Integral speech of the Ukrainian President to the Romanian Parliament
Dear Mr President of the Chamber of Deputies!
Dear Mr President of the Senate!
Dear Mr Prime Minister!
Ladies and gentlemen, deputies and senators, guests!
Dear friends!
Romanian people!
I am grateful for this opportunity to address you and all your people. A few hours ago, I returned from the liberated cities of the Kyiv region – near our capital. These territories from which we expelled the Russian occupiers and saw what they had been doing to the Ukrainian people on our land. And I want you to see now what the occupiers left behind. I apologize – the video is brutal, but it’s a reality…
The name of our city of Bucha is now forever in world history. In the history of war crimes. In the history of the extermination of people.
We know about more than 300 civilians tortured, executed or otherwise killed in Bucha. Ordinary residents of a typical city near Kyiv. Their hands were tied behind their backs, they were shot in the back of the head or the eye, killed just in the streets. Civilian vehicles were crushed by military equipment. Vehicles with people! They raped women and girls…
And this is just the beginning of the investigation. Not all evidence has been collected yet. Not all burials have been discovered yet. Not all basements where the Russian military tortured people have been inspected yet. There is every reason to believe that the number of killed residents of Bucha and other Ukrainian cities nearby will be much higher than we know today.
Why did the Russian military do that?
On the same day, April 3, when the world was horrified to see the bodies of those killed in Bucha, an article justifying the genocide of Ukrainians was published on the website of the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. Its name is quite eloquent. I quote: “What should Russia do with Ukraine”. And it’s not just text. This is one of the proofs for the future tribunal against Russian war criminals.
The article describes a precise and calculated procedure for destroying everything that makes Ukrainians Ukrainians and our people themselves. Those whom they will not be able to break and conquer. It is said that “de-Ukrainization” and “de-Europeanization” of Ukraine should be carried out. It is said that even the name of our state should be erased. Virtually, it is said that the deaths of as many of our people in the war are only welcomed.
I want to emphasize once again: this is the website of the state news agency of Russia, where, under conditions of explicit state censorship, only materials that correspond to the official ideological position on the war against Ukraine can be published. What does not correspond to such a position would not pass censorship.
I want you to understand me: they are not even hiding. They openly speak about the purpose of the invasion of Ukraine. If our army had not withstood, if our people had not risen to the state’s defence, they would have done what they did in Bucha – but throughout Ukraine.
We know about the deliberate killings of teachers and educators in the temporarily occupied territories. We know about calculated terror against all the occupiers considered activists, as people related to the army.
Even the mere presence of the national symbols of Ukraine, the state flag or coat of arms, in a person’s apartment was already a reason for the occupiers to kill this person or at least threaten to kill them.
But why aren’t they hiding?
Even now, when everything is clear to the world, why do they openly say how they want to destroy the whole nation?
There are two answers to this question.
You will understand the first answer very well.
In 1989, Nicolae Ceaușescu finally ended his life. It has been clear that this man had lost his adequacy for many years. Clearly, he, his wife, his entourage, and his “Securitate” have been dragging your country and people down – to suffering, poverty, and isolation not just from the world but everything advanced in the world.
That regime relied only on intimidation, repression, brutality and deception. There was nothing bright in it. The Romanian people revolted and defended themselves, saving themselves and having overthrown inadequate power. Because that was the only way, Ceaușescu, his wife, his entourage, his “Securitate” could not be convinced of anything.
It is also impossible to convince those who promote war in Russia now. Who gives criminal orders. Who develop plans for the genocide of the Ukrainian people and the destruction of the Ukrainian state. These people are inadequate. They have lost all connection with reality and are willing to sacrifice millions of lives to realize their crazy ideas.
And the second reason why Russia is openly calling for genocide and why the occupiers’ crimes that everyone in the world saw in Bucha are possible is the belief of Russia’s top officials that European leaders will fail, will be weak. That Europe will lack leadership. And that the nations of Europe are incapable of defending the values that have united the continent.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Great Romanian people!
Together we must stop these inadequate people accustomed to impunity and therefore decide that they are allowed absolutely everything. Together we must stop those who want genocide in Europe.
Why must we do this together?
Each of you understands that Ukraine is not the last target of Russian aggression. Troops of occupiers are stubbornly trying to bypass our city of Mykolaiv to try to seize Odesa. And from Odesa, there is one step to Moldova.
Russian state propagandists have long said that Moldova is also a target for Russian expansion. Therefore, the defence of Ukrainians of their state is a fundamental prerequisite for the security and independence of Moldova. And thus, a condition for peace in the whole large region of the Danube.
Now the fate of the whole of Eastern and Central Europe and the Black Sea region is being decided on the territory of Ukraine. Therefore, to protect the freedom of Ukraine, to protect the freedom of Ukrainians is to guarantee the security of Europe.
What must be done?
Yes, it is true. Sanctions were imposed on Russia for this war. But the fight for our freedom has been going on for 40 days already after eight years of war in Donbas. Therefore, sanctions are not enough.
Russia must seek peace with Ukraine and with the whole of Europe. To this end, Russia must be deprived of all resources. First of all, financial and economic ones.
The European Union must finally adopt a moral decision and close ports to Russian ships.
Stop the transit of goods and any economic activity with Russia. Restricting the flow of money for Russian energy has no alternative.
One can argue about what the format should be: a complete embargo on supplies or a program like “Oil-for-Food” – but it is necessary.
And not only that.
Every politician in a democratic world must defend the need to provide Ukraine with all the necessary weapons. It is on the battlefield that it is decided who will be the winner in this war – freedom or tyranny.
Everyone on whom it depends must do everything possible to quickly and inevitably bring to justice all Russian servicemen and their commanders guilty of committing crimes against civilians in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Today, I reached an agreement with the European Union on providing financial and technical support to the Eurojust Joint Investigation Team, EU member states and the International Criminal Court.
I believe that Romania’s leadership will be one of the decisive factors in restoring justice and protecting everyday life both in our region and in Europe as a whole.
I am confident that Romania and Romanian companies will also participate in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction program. We invite our partners in Europe to take patronage over a city, region or industry that has suffered from Russia’s aggression. Your potential and inner strength can create a new example of leadership in building a civilized and peaceful life.
I am sincerely grateful to all the Romanian people for their kind treatment of Ukrainian immigrants who have found safety on your land. I hope that together we will be able to create such conditions as soon as possible when Russia gives up the war, so our people will be able to return home to Ukraine. And this experience of assistance in emergencies, mutual respect, and kindness between our people have already become the basis for an even greater rapprochement of our states and nations.
As soon as the situation allows, I want to start a dialogue with you on a new comprehensive agreement that guarantees the absolute protection and development of our national minorities – the Ukrainian community in Romania and the Romanian community in Ukraine.
Because our destiny is to be as close as possible, our destiny is to be defenders of freedom in our region. Our destiny is to be together in the European family.
And I believe that very soon, I will be able to address you with words of gratitude for Romania’s support for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.
Thank you very much!
Glory to Romania!
Glory to Ukraine!
Photo source: President of Ukraine’s official website
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