West Sussex marks the third anniversary of full-scale invasion of Ukraine with a show of solidarity at Worthing Museum
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00:00The last two weeks was extremely hard, so it's always news, and we are very appreciative that you are here.
00:12And, you know, Ukraine is not just only the territory, it's a very brave nation who fights for democracy in all the world.
00:26And we are very appreciative that you are here today with us to stand for Ukraine and stand for freedom in all the world. Thank you.
00:37Thank you so much for having me here this morning. I'm speaking on behalf of myself, MP for Whirling West,
00:42but also on behalf of Tom Rutland, who is the MP for East Whirling in Shoreham, who sends his apologies.
00:48We would like to have been here on this significant day, marking the third anniversary of the fourth-scale invasion of Ukraine.
00:55Three years on from Russia's brutal invasion, the courage and satisfaction of the Ukrainian people goes on.
01:01A thousand and ninety-five days of fighting and suffering for those brave soldiers on the front line to send their country to freedom.
01:08And a thousand and ninety-five nights of fear and hardship for those millions of families at home.
01:16We, I, can only imagine how painful it must be for our friends here today on this tragic anniversary.
01:24Separated from their homes and loved ones, and we offer them all the strength and support that we can.
01:32Tom and I are proud of how our two countries have stood together and worked together during these three busy years for Ukraine.
01:39We thank groups like Community Works and the Aid to Ukraine Support Association, who have done such incredible work,
01:46along with everyone who has offered support and a safe home.
01:51We know there have been challenges. The visa extension scheme has caused a great deal of anxiety,
01:56along with issues of securing tenancies, jobs and undergraduate degree courses.
02:02Access to a home, an income source and an education should be open to everyone,
02:07especially those who have endured such unimaginable suffering and loss.
02:12And Tom and I will continue to be a voice for them both here in our communities and in Parliament.
02:19We know there is also apprehension about the future and how the conflicts might be resolved,
02:25particularly in light of recent statements from some global leaders.
02:30It has always been our view, and will always be, that Ukraine's future cannot be decided without Ukraine.
02:37And I hope you will be reassured that our Prime Minister and our Government have made that absolutely clear.
02:44Putin, not Ukraine, started this war, and it is Putin who must end it.
02:50We continue to pledge our unwavering commitment to the Ukrainian people,
02:54as we strive to find a way to a just and lasting peace,
02:58one that must deter Russia from any future aggression and ensure the sovereignty and security of Ukraine.
03:05Thank you so much for inviting me to be part of this important occasion.
03:10I am honoured to stand with you today in the heart of the Soviet University.
03:15My father and I had the privilege of hosting a young Ukrainian woman, Katya,
03:19for eight months during an unimaginably challenging period of her life.
03:24Separated from loved ones, she worked hard, completing her studies online,
03:29eventually graduating and finding work.
03:31She built lasting and supportive relationships here,
03:34and then returned to Kyiv when the separation from home became too great.
03:39We learnt a lot from Katya about the history of Ukraine,
03:43her gaining independence, being invaded and occupied.
03:47We understood her fierce desire for her country's victory against the injustice of this continual aggression,
03:54as well as her dilemma of wanting the war to be over, to end the loss of life and to have hope for the future.
04:03I was recently asked a great question by a group of concerned young people in Worthing.
04:08Do you think there's ever going to be a future where war is abolished?
04:12One of the things I said in response was that there is no peace without justice.
04:17Welcome to our portrait exhibition, Faces of Resilience.
04:23You will, if you look around, perhaps see one or two of the faces
04:30in the portraits with us this morning.
04:33And after the formal part of the ceremony this morning,
04:39there will be an opportunity to talk to some 30 people.
04:45Looking around at those faces, we see the trauma of war.
04:52Looking into the eyes, we see human beings.
04:57What are they looking for?
05:00Humanity.
05:02Those eyes long to see a bright future.
05:07They've found shelter here, for which they thank you.
05:12They fled from war, but live here with other traumas.
05:16The uncertainty of their future, especially for their children, and also work and accommodation.
05:23Back at home, and constantly on their minds, family and friends with an uncertain future.
05:32We live in a world of momentary news.
05:35But let's remember the true history of the war.
05:39The horrors of the Russian invasion three years ago.
05:43Remember what happened in Bucha, Diepien, Dijon,
05:48and the total destruction of cities like Malibu.
05:52And to put some sense of scale on that,
05:56the population of Malibu was once that of Worthing, Hove, and Brighton added together.
06:04Let's remember that Russia has abducted 20,000 children from Malibu.
06:10And that's just one city.
06:14Many more are also piles of rubble and devoid of all vegetation and human life.
06:23Why?
06:25How does it end?
06:28The question of peace from a Western perspective is a single concept.
06:35But for Ukraine, peace must come with freedom and dignity,
06:40as well as a recognition for the price already paid.
06:45Ukrainians.
06:47They're not terrorists.
06:49They're not expanding an empire.
06:51They're not milking neighbour's natural resources.
06:54They're a sovereign and independent nation,
06:57who want and deserve respect for this.
07:01How should we support Ukraine?
07:04Let's first understand what Russia wants.
07:07The ownership of Ukraine as a resource.
07:10The extinction of Ukraine and its culture and language.
07:16So we must help recognise, preserve and protect its culture,
07:21its identity and its heritage.
07:24Because Ukrainians are proud of their nationality,
07:27and this should be celebrated.
07:31Let's stand beside our fellow humans,
07:35fighting against a monstrous enemy.