To support Ukrainian civil society, the European Parliament makes a whole floor available to the NGO Promote Ukraine in the Station Europe building in Brussels, the old station situated on Place Luxembourg, in front of the European Parliament. The space will be used to coordinate Ukrainian civil society action (organising demonstrations, press conferences, etc.) and to provide psychological and administrative support to refugees from Ukraine now arriving in Belgium (job seeking, registering at municipal offices). Roberta METSOLA, EP President, transfers the key to the NGOs.

EU - Ukraine (T)

Brussels

troubles in Ukraine (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

president's agenda

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

Inauguration of the Ukrainian civil society hub by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and handover of the keys of the Station Europe building to the Ukrainian civil society

External views of the Station Europe building and arrival of Roberta METSOLA, EP President (4 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We have decided to open our house, our home to the Ukrainian civil society, and we have decided to call it the Ukrainian civil society hub. It is a concrete gesture that will allow you, dear friends, to be able to use these premises for all the work that you can do to coordinate, to help Ukrainians who are fleeing from war, to help also those brave Ukrainians who are fighting the war at home.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP president, As a European Parliament, we are also helping on a daily basis the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian Parliament, both in terms of logistics, security and also ensuring that they can continue to do their work, which is essential in a time when the decisions need to be taken to continue to fight the invasion. So once again, Slava Ukraine, to you ambassador, would like to take the floor.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nataliia MELNYK, Coordinator of Ukrainian civil society, From exactly three weeks ago on the 24th of February, we all woke up in a different reality;  in a reality such cruel and full of pain which European continent had not seen for decades. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Nataliia MELNYK,  Coordinator of Ukrainian civil society, Because Russia decided that we cannot define our future ourselves. We cannot decide on our values and our aspirations. But every day we prove otherwise. We stand against darkness and tyranny with freedom and dignity in our hearts. Every day, our soldiers, our volunteers fight to protect our homeland and our European values, democracy, human rights and rule of law. We feel that we are not alone 

SOUNDBITE (English), Nataliia MELNYK, We understand that things that you are doing for Ukraine now and today at this moment, but in particular are unprecedented, and they go in far beyond the traditional responsibility of the European Parliament. So we are grateful for your support, the continuous support of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine that facilitates its work, and we appreciate that you are actually hosting us at your home. Thank you very much and thank you, everyone who supports Ukraine. (applaus)

SOUNDBITE (English), Marta BARANDYI, Founding Chir of the Ukrainian NGO &quot;Promote Ukraine&quot;, Eight years on, Ukrainians are being brutally aggressed for its European choice. Well, the newly established Ukrainian hub will serve as a communication platform for Ukrainian resistance and European support.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marta BARANDYI, We invite you to come meet us, bring your initiatives. We will organise all sorts of events, press conferences, conferences, roundtables, exhibitions and much more. This to make you feel the spirit of our brave and courageous nation. Ukrainian nation is contributing to the sustainability of the European way of life, and we thank the European Parliament and the president. For making the space in the heart of Europe for us. (applaus)

Hand over of the key of the Station Europe building to Nataliia MELNYK, coordinator of the Ukrainian civil society by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

SOUNDBITE (English), Chentsov VSEVOLOD, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union, I would like to suggest now to remember all those who died during those 21 days during this brutal, unannounced war. Thank you. Minute of silence (extract)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President with Nataliia MELNYK , coordinator of Ukrainian civil society, and with  Marta BARANDYI. founding chair of the Ukrainian NGO "Promote Ukraine", (3 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The Ukrainian representatives of the Ukrainians abroad will be organising, first of all, coordinating support, collections help both from a logistical perspective but also political support, democracy actions. They're also making it an open hub for civil society to make sure that whatever can be done to help Ukrainians that have fled, but also Ukrainians that are in Ukraine fighting this war can be also done from here [