“Preparations for the second Peace Summit are underway. Each state can take the initiative to implement any of the points. I believe that Colombia could make a significant contribution, for example, to ensuring environmental security in the world.”, — write: www.president.gov.ua
Thank you, Mr. Rector!
Thank you, dear Columbia students, ladies and gentlemen! Thank you
I am glad to be able to address you on the eve of International Students’ Day. Holidays of those who study today and create the future tomorrow.
The youth has always been the driving force of change. It was you who always gave the world new views, ideas and solutions. What should make the world a better place. And today our world needs it more than ever. I say this both as the President and as a citizen of a country against which Russia has been waging a full-scale war for almost 1,000 days.
For 1,000 days, Russia has been trying to destroy us, take away our lives and our freedom.
I could give many examples that will help you better understand what Russian aggression is and what modern Russia is. How is it when Russia comes to your home, to your land. I will give only one example: how your peers, Ukrainian students and youth live today. Tens of thousands of young men and women were forced to leave their hometowns and alma maters. Dozens of our universities were relocated – from Donetsk, Luhansk, Simferopol, Mariupol and many other cities where Russia, its missiles and bombs came. Every seventh educational institution in Ukraine was either destroyed or damaged. And it’s not just buildings – it’s youth, it’s dreams, hopes, it’s the future of our children, our youth. And with every destroyed school or university, opportunities for development are destroyed. This is the reality that young Ukrainians face every day.
But despite everything, this destruction did not break us, it strengthened our determination and our will. So today Ukrainian youth is a symbol of stability. Infinite courage. Our students not only master their future professions despite the war, shelling and alarms, they actively volunteer, support the army, our soldiers. Many of them left the audience to go to the front to defend their: their families, their land, their country, their rights. All that is dear to us. Everything that Russia is trying to destroy. Almost 1000 days in a row.
Our country’s struggle for life has been going on for almost 1,000 days. And this struggle is not only about Ukraine. It also applies to you, everyone who values freedom, the right to choose one’s own path and a future without war. What this future will be depends on each of us today – people who live in different corners of the world, but have the same understanding of such concepts as freedom and justice. Colombia and Ukraine are examples of this.
We live on different continents, in different time zones, but we have a lot in common. And this is more than the yellow and blue colors on our flags. These are also similar historical challenges and, I am sure, a shared vision of values that must be defended.
Russia’s war against us, against Ukraine, is more than a war. This is an attempt to restore the colonial empire, to enslave our people, to take away our freedom and right to choose. Colombians who survived the struggle against colonialism know what it is like. They know how cruel invaders can be, how they try to break your resistance and how important it is to fight, defend your freedom and the right of every people to live independently, to preserve their identity.
As one of the most multi-ethnic countries in Latin America, Colombia is also an example of the ability to protect its culture and diversity. Dozens of cultures and ethnic groups are intertwined in your country, each of which preserves its own traditions, language, art and identity.
Ukraine also has a rich cultural heritage. We are home to about a hundred different nationalities and indigenous peoples, including the Crimean Tatars. Now, in the occupied territories, they face numerous persecutions from Russia – arrests, imprisonments, captivity, regular restrictions of rights.
In Crimea in particular and in Ukraine in general, Russia is destroying not only physical objects, but also the foundations of culture and identity, the right to be who we are.
I am sure that our peoples know how important this is. They know that it is worth fighting for. Ukraine and Colombia have a good space for cooperation and cultural exchange. These are projects to preserve cultural heritage, protect the rights of indigenous peoples, develop educational programs and ideas of cultural tolerance. Together with Colombia, we want to show that diversity makes us stronger, that the uniqueness of each people is our common treasure that should be preserved and protected.
In order to restore justice and lasting peace, Ukraine presented the Peace Formula to the international community. A plan of concrete steps, 10 points to end the war and ensure the safety of the planet.
This is not only our plan, it is our call to every country, to everyone to join the defense of global security.
And every vote counts. The voice of Colombia and all democratic countries can bring us closer to a new system in which no country can carry out aggression with impunity.
In June of this year, we held the first Peace Summit in Switzerland, which brought together more than a hundred states and international organizations from all regions of the world. Most of them were represented at the leadership level. It is a great pity that the President of Colombia or any other representative of your country was not present. Very sorry. However, I believe that Colombia will find a way to join the process of restoring justice. And this is where your role as young people who will shape Colombia’s future is crucial.
Preparations for the second Peace Summit are underway. Each state can take the initiative to implement any of the points. Each will find an area that will be a priority for her. I believe that Colombia could make a significant contribution, for example, to ensuring environmental security in the world.
True victory is possible only if we stand together. When all democratic nations unite to defend justice, we can change the world for the better. We thank you for the support of the Colombian academic community, for your solidarity, for your desire for justice. Together we can build a world where colonialism and aggression are never, ever, ever acceptable again. Thank you Thank you very much. Thank you for the invitation. Thank you Colombia. Thank you, friends, for your attention. And I’m ready to begin our discussion.
Glory to Ukraine!
