Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, addresses the plenary and gives a introductory statement in Strasbourg on the 500 days of war in Ukraine. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

president's agenda

Introductory remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the 500 days of war in Ukraine

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Dear colleagues. Good afternoon. Welcome back to Strasbourg. Three points from my end. First of all, this weekend marked 500 days since the start of Russia's large scale invasion of Ukraine. 500 days of Ukraine beating the odds. 500 days of Ukrainians inspiring the world. 500 days of Europe and a democratic world united like at a few other times in history.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, I want to say how proud I am that our European Parliament has stood with Ukraine and its people from day one, that this House has led calls for Ukraine to be granted EU candidate status. That's our parliament has pushed forward the political momentum for humanitarian, military and financial support.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, That when Ukraine needed us to help procure generators, our pan-European Generators of Hope campaign provided heating and light that when it came to legislation, the deals we have reached with Council on the Joint Procurement and Defence and the Act in support of ammunition production will make a real difference. And here let me thank all those colleagues who are involved in this critical fight.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, So let me say again, this Parliament, our European Union will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the courageous people of Ukraine for as long as it takes for Ukraine, for Europe, for democracy, for liberty to prevail.