Today, the official presentation of the Zakharov Prize, one of the highest awards of the European Parliament, to the Ukrainian people took place, as the President of the Chamber, Roberta Metsola, announced in October by decision of the Conference of Presidents. .

“This award is for those Ukrainians who fight in the field. For those who were forced to leave. For those who have lost loved ones. For all who stand up and fight for what they believe in. I know that the courageous people of Ukraine will not give up, and neither will we,” he said at the time.

Russia’s unprovoked aggressive war against Ukraine is inflicting enormous damage on the Ukrainian people. They not only fight to defend their homes, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, but also defend freedom, democracy, the rule of law and European values ​​on the battlefields “against a brutal regime that seeks to undermine our democracy, weaken and divide our Union” – deputies of the European Parliament.

The award recognizes the efforts of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as the influential role of citizens, representatives of civil society and state and public institutions, including the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

Write down

The Zakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded annually by the European Parliament. It was founded in 1988 to honor individuals and organizations that defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is named after the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrey Zakharov, and the prize fund is 50,000 euros.

Last year, Parliament awarded Russian opposition politician and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny the prize.

Source: Reuters, European Union.