Helps us to get justice, Ukraine’s First Lady tells MPs
OLENA Zelenska urged the UK to become a leader in helping Ukraine achieve “justice” against Russia, as she addressed an audience of MPs and peers that included Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer.
The speech, in a Parliament committee room, came as part of a visit to London for Ukraine’s First Lady, as she urged the UK and other allies to seek justice against alleged Russian war crimes. Her visit has focused on the use of sexual violence and rape by Russian forces in the months-long war, now heading into a long winter.
In a harrowing speech to politicians in the Houses of Parliament yesterday, the wife of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said the youngest known victim of the “thousands” of such crimes was a four-year-old girl raped by Russian occupiers.
In a further stark message, she said that the Ukrainian experience today has echoes of the British suffering during World War Two.
In front of a Union Jack and Ukrainian flag, she said: “Justice, like victory, is not possible without allies.” She argued that the International Criminal Court (ICC) does not have the legal force to punish Moscow for its invasion.
Through a translator, she said: “We need to start the special tribunal against the crime of aggression of Russia against Ukraine, which will enhance the work of the ICC and not weaken it.
“We need to unite the world community, just as it happened in January 1942, to support the special tribunal against the aggression of Russia against Ukraine.
“I’m asking you a small favour to become the world leader in the justice efforts.
“I believe that London can give this decisive impetus so that the can become better, fairer, thanks to you.”
She said: “Ukrainians are going through the terror, which will resonate with you.
“Your islands survived the air raids, which were identical to those that Russia uses now to put us on our knees.
“We’re hearing sirens every day identical to those which were heard by earlier British generations. You did not surrender and we will not surrender. But victory is not the only thing we need. We need justice.”