1,000 days of war: Belgium ensures continued support to Ukraine
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine with missile strikes and assaults on multiple fronts 1,000 days ago. To mark the date, Belgian Foreign minister affairs Hadja Lahbib and Defence minister Ludivine Dedonder released a joint statement on Tuesday, ensuring continued support and solidarity with Ukraine.
"For 1,000 days now, Ukrainians have been fighting tirelessly to defend their country, their cities and their families in the face of Russia's unjust aggression," said Lahbib. She addressed the ways in which Belgium has stood in solidarity with Ukraine since the conflict began.
Through financial, military and humanitarian aid, Belgium has supported Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty and democracy. This includes providing lethal and non-lethal equipment, hosting training programmes for Ukrainian soldiers and offering refuge to displaced populations.
"The ministry of Defence supplies equipment, trains and educates Ukrainian soldiers and works with our partners and allies to give them the means to defend themselves effectively," Dedonder said. "This war is about much more than just territory. It is an attack on democracy and a flagrant injustice."
Belgium has also played a pivotal role on the European stage. During its presidency of the Council of the European Union, it successfully advocated for increased support for Ukraine from all 27 EU member states and helped facilitate Ukraine’s progression toward eventual EU membership.
"Europeans and Ukrainians are responding to blind violence with their unity and determination so that nothing will be decided about the future of Ukraine without Ukrainians," Lahbib said.
As the conflict stretches past its 1,000th day, the call for continued support persists. "We must continue to provide support because the war in Ukraine is about the foundations of our society: freedom, equality, sovereignty, and respect for international law and universal human rights," the ministers said.
For Belgium and its allies, Ukraine's fight is not just about defending its own borders; it is about safeguarding the democratic values that unite nations across Europe. "Ukraine deserves to regain its freedom and sovereignty," said Dedonder, underscoring Belgium’s commitment to and praising Ukraine's bravery and perseverance.
© PHOTO WOJTEK RADAWANSKI / AFP
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