MEPs debate on the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor, a Soviet-imposed famine that killed millions of Ukrainians between 1932 and 1933.

EU - Ukraine (T)

debate

plenary session

respect for human rights in the world (T)

troubles in Ukraine (T)

AUŠTREVIČIUS, Petras (Renew, LT)

SIKORSKI, Radosław (EPP, PL)

CIMOSZEWICZ, Włodzimierz (S&D, PL)

VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL, Viola (Greens/EFA, DE)

KYRIAKIDES, Stella (CY, EC)

90 years after Holodomor: Recognising the mass killing through starvation as genocide: extracts from the debate and votes

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, The Holodomor is one of the major tragedies of the 20th century, which took the lives of so many Ukrainians and other persons across the Soviet Union. This was highlighted on 26 November at the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor, honouring the memory of Ukraine's victims. 90 years after the Holodomor, Russia is again using food as a weapon in the brutal war of aggression against Ukraine through destroying Ukraine's agricultural production, mining its fields and blocking its ports. Today, the European Union stands together with Ukraine in the pursuit to help avert hunger across the world.

SOUNDBITE (English), Rados&#322;aw SIKORSKI (EPP, PL), Putin is trying to do by somewhat similar means the same thing again, namely to reduce the Ukrainian nation to the status of Russian folklore, but to deny Ukraine the right to exist as a separate culture, separate nation, and a separate function in a democratic and pro European state.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), W&#322;odzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ (S&amp;D, PL), We call Russia to fully confirmed that Holodomor took place and it was a result of USSR decision. We want them to apologise the Ukrainian nation. We want to make archives open so that the truth about Holodomor could be described and used in education of further generations. For the victims, we can do only one thing now. We can remember them.

SOUNDBITE (English), Petras AU&#352;TREVI&#268;IUS (Renew, LT), The social experiments of totalitarian systems based on collective violence, radical and ideological actions must receive the necessary evaluation and response. As we commemorate 90 years of Holodomor and express our condolences to victims, let us do our utmost to help Ukraine to defeat the Russian aggressor.

SOUNDBITE (English), Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), Holodomor is not a tragedy of one or two families. It is an attempted extermination of an entire nation by the Soviet regime. Stalin's surrogates pillage Ukrainian villages in search of remaining reign. There they are filled with hate towards Ukrainians, fuelled by Soviet propaganda. We in the European Parliament say never again.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Let me stress once again that the EU will continue to act and prevent efforts to use hunger as a weapon. The European Union remains an active and responsible actor. We stand in solidarity with Ukraine and with the global efforts to fight hunger caused by Russia's war of aggression. And we should also be firm in fighting Russia's lies that the European Union is responsible for the rise in food prices.