Diplomats and heads of state in Skopje: We will stand by Ukraine until its final liberation from Russia

North Macedonia, the European Union (EU), the USA and all civilized countries will continue to support Ukraine until the Ukrainian people gain the desired freedom to determine their own path. This was said in Skopje by the country’s heads of state and the ambassadors of EU and NATO countries during the conference “Ukraine – two years of heroism” organized by the Embassy of Ukraine and the Macedonian civil society organization CIVIL – Center for Liri, reports The Geopost.

The President of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski, said that the country fully supports Ukraine in freely choosing the path it will take in the future.

“Unfortunately, the brutal aggression of the Putin regime against this friendly country is entering its third year today, and the loss of lives, the suffering of millions of people across the country, the devastating consequences and destruction are not diminishing,” Pendarovski said.

With regard to Putin’s dictatorship in Russia, Pendarovski assessed that “in these two years we have experienced a regime that is far removed from reality, that seems to have emerged from the darkest times in European history of the last century and is not at all in tune with the reality of the 21st century.”

“This personal dictatorship is not only trying to impose a revision of history, but also to change the borders in Europe, in violation of all international legal agreements that guarantee the peace, stability and security of the continent after the end of the Second World War.” “, Pendarovski added.

Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi said that North Macedonia and the peoples who have lived here for centuries know exactly what it means to fight for freedom.

“North Macedonia has stood firmly by Ukraine and will continue to do so for as long as it is necessary.” But we, as North Macedonia and as peoples who have lived here for centuries, know exactly what it means to fight for freedom. “We know exactly what it means to be on the right side of history, which is why we have joined the sanctions and the external security policy of the European Union,” said Prime Minister Xhaferi.

Deputy Prime Minister Bojan Maricic said that the Macedonian people, together with the Ukrainian people, remain on the path to peace, security, democracy and EU membership.

“The Russian attack on Ukraine is an attack on European values and therefore it was easy for us to choose a side and be among the first to agree one hundred percent with the foreign policy of the European Union and NATO,” said Maricic .

Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani estimated that the two years of war testify to the unprecedented heroism of the Ukrainian people and the leadership of Ukraine.

“These are two years of perseverance and resistance, and I would like to take this opportunity to pay special respect to the brave Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the battlefields, but also to the Ukrainian civilians defending their homes and those of their loved ones in the best possible way,” Osmani said.

The Ambassador of Ukraine, Larisa Deer, called on the partners to increase defense support for Ukraine.

“Two years are 731 days of war, effort, resistance, shelling, missile terror, cruelty and torture by the Russians, pain, despair, but also partner support, hope,” she emphasized. “The Kremlin’s failure to punish for the crimes committed in Bukha, Irpin, Mariupol, Izum and Avdiivka only leads to additional crimes.”

“It is necessary to tighten sanctions against the Russian Federation and, in particular, to implement them so that there is no indirect financing of the production of missiles that fly over the heads of Ukrainians and burn Ukrainian soil,” Deer emphasized.

The diplomatic representatives of the EU, the USA, Great Britain, Sweden, Albania, the Czech Republic, France, Japan, Germany, Poland and Lithuania spoke at the second session of this conference.

US Ambassador Angela Ageler said that the USA was providing Ukraine with great support in the form of political, financial and military-technical assistance.

“The United States is providing important support to Ukraine through political, financial, and military-technical assistance, including the training of Ukrainian troops on American soil,” she said. “In 2023, the United States provided a generous $15.87 billion in aid to Ukraine, a gesture that is greatly appreciated by the Ukrainian people,” Ageler emphasized.

UK Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Julia Smith said the resilience and resilience of the people and armed forces of Ukraine were an inspiration to all members of the free world.

“The UK’s contribution is so significant and diverse that it is a challenge to highlight the most important aspects – be it in air defense, radar technology or advanced anti-drone and missile systems,” Smith stressed. “The aim of bilateral defense cooperation is to strengthen air defense and develop the long-range capabilities of Ukraine’s armed forces.”

She warned that the UK would provide several thousand drones worth 200 million pounds to improve the capabilities of the Ukrainian military.

Acting German Ambassador Otto Graf said the war would only end when Russia withdrew its troops.

“Two years have passed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” he said. “This war is not just an attack on one country, but on our common values and European security,” Graf said. “We continue to support them in their defense efforts. In 2024, Germany will help Ukraine with 7.1 billion euros. Support for Ukraine is not a phrase, but real help.”

Cyril Baumgartner, Ambassador of the Republic of France, said today that the courage of the Ukrainian people and their leaders must be celebrated.

“For two years, an entire people has been resisting. This resistance is useful. They find strength and courage in a sense of justice. We celebrate the courage of the Ukrainian people and their leaders. “We believe that we must not allow the Russian regime to win this war, we must win for the sake of Ukraine itself,” Baumgartner said.

Albanian Ambassador Fatos Reka said that his country strongly supported Ukraine.

“Albania supports Ukraine politically and cooperates with international organizations. In addition, Albania provides humanitarian aid, including the reception of Ukrainians who are forced to leave their country due to Russia’s military aggression,” Reka said.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Otsuka said that Russian attacks not only destroy the lives of Ukrainians, but also threaten their future.

“Many citizens lost their lives or were injured in Ukraine. “Russian attacks on hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure are not only destroying the lives of Ukrainians, but also threatening their future,” the Japanese ambassador emphasized.

Two exhibitions were also held on the fringes of the conference: “Project Ukraine: Experiencing War”, an electronic exhibition with virtual reality, and “Postcards from Ukraine”, a photo exhibition. In addition, the book “Ukraine – Years of Heroism” by author Xhabir Deralla, head of the organization CIVIL, which co-organized the conference, was also promoted./The Geopost/