Parliament adopts Declaration - four years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Parliament today adopted a Declaration marking four years since the large-scale military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. The document was supported by 65 members of Parliament. The Declaration condemns the Russian Federation’s aggression and reaffirms our country’s support for Ukraine.

Speaker Igor Grosu underlined that the Republic of Moldova has been, is and will remain in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

"On 24 February it was four years since the beginning of the brutal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. A war of aggression that brings death, destruction and suffering to millions of people. Thousands of civilians killed, children abducted, hospitals and schools bombed, cities turned into ruins. The Republic of Moldova has been, is and will remain in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. We are grateful to our neighbours for the courage which they defend their freedom, their country and their future, and also for the fact that, through their resistance, they protect peace and security in the whole region, including the Republic of Moldova,” he said.

The Speaker noted that Ukraine continues to stand by the Republic of Moldova even during wartime.

"Recently, a team of 40 Ukrainian doctors saved the life of a nine‑month‑old baby girl from the Republic of Moldova. It is a humane gesture that says everything about the solidarity of our neighbours. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts. Today, in the plenary sitting of Parliament, we will propose for adoption a declaration on supporting Ukraine. I urge all MPs, regardless of political affiliation, including colleagues from the opposition, to act responsibly and support this declaration. As a sign of respect for the victims of this war, for those who have fallen on the front, for the civilians killed and for all those who have suffered because of the invasion, we will hold a minute of silence,” Igor Grosu emphasized.

According to the Declaration, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova condemns the brutal actions of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, calls for the aggressor state to be sanctioned for the crimes committed, and supports Ukraine in achieving a just peace.

"The parliament firmly condemns the criminal actions of the Russian Federation, which ignoring the principles of international law, continues to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity, including attacks against the civilian population, acts of torture, sexual violence, illegal detention and execution of prisoners of war, as well as the unlawful deportation and forced displacement of Ukrainian civilians, including children. We reaffirm the unwavering support of the Republic of Moldova for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. We also underline the importance of continued support for Ukraine from international partners and stress that providing Ukraine with the means necessary for defence and for repelling the aggressor contributes both to strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities and to reinforcing the security of Europe as a whole. In this context, we reiterate the importance of further strengthening sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation,” the Declaration reads.

Members of Parliament also issued an appeal to the international community, national parliaments and governments to maintain unity, determination and consistency in supporting Ukraine, and reaffirmed Moldova’s willingness to strengthen inter‑parliamentary interaction within the regional cooperation format Republic of Moldova – Ukraine – Romania (Odesa Triangle).

The authors stressed that the accession of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to the European Union has strategic significance for the stability, security and sustainable development of the region and of Europe as a whole.

Ukraine was attacked by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022. Since the start of the war, the Republic of Moldova has received the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita in Europe. During this period, refugees have benefited in our country from social, medical and educational assistance, as well as the possibility to enter the labour market.