The Deputy Chairwoman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk summarized the results of her visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan and the work of the Ukrainian delegation at the Sixth International Multicultural Forum in Baku.
Olena Kondratiuk noted that it is important for Ukraine to be present at international platforms, especially those involving the countries of the Global South.
"It is here that we need to counter russian disinformation, tell the truth about the events, meet with delegations, convince, explain, look for arguments and approaches that are close to them. We need to talk about our peace initiatives and the international coalition for the return of children everywhere and all the time! Ukrainian diplomatic, civic, governmental, and parliamentary landings should be multi-level and complement each other!" the Vice Speaker said.
She also noted with sadness that even representatives of international organizations are talking about the war in Ukraine less and less in their speeches and statements. Our issue is "fading away" and the war is perceived as "fatigue." russia, for its part, is investing more and more in propaganda through "neutral" countries and thus seeks to divert attention.
But, as Olena Kondratiuk emphasized, other countries know about our struggle for dignity and independence.
"After my speech, many of the forum delegates came up to me and expressed their support for Ukraine! Everyone is familiar with "Glory to Ukraine!". They are proud of our soldiers! They are inspired by our resilience! Therefore, we need to be reminded of us everywhere," the Vice Speaker emphasized.
In her speech at the International Forum for Intercultural Dialogue, she noted that Ukraine is a peaceful, multinational country with 130 nationalities and ethnicities. National minorities make up more than 20% of our population.
"We have never had interethnic conflicts. For example, more than 45,000 Azerbaijanis live in our country. More than a thousand of them are now in the Ukrainian army. More than 40 of them died defending Ukraine," said Olena Kondratiuk.
She also emphasized the multiculturalism and multireligiousness of Ukraine, where different cultures and religions of different ethnic groups coexist peacefully in society.
"There are dozens of religions in our country, more than 30 thousand different religious communities. Islam in Ukraine, by the way, is the second most popular religion after Christianity. We have complete freedom of religion. Ukrainian religious denominations are united in the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches, which speaks with one voice," noted Olena Kondratiuk.
She also reminded that, according to a report by human rights organizations, during the two years of the full-scale invasion, russia destroyed at least 570 religious sites in Ukraine, almost half of which were Orthodox churches, one third were Protestant, and another 15 churches, 15 synagogues and seven mosques.
Another report is about destroyed cultural institutions. During the two years of full-scale war, russians damaged 700 libraries, 114 museums, and 36 theaters. According to UNESCO, more than 1,000 cultural heritage sites, including those on the world's lists, have been destroyed or damaged in Ukraine. Ukrainian culture has suffered damage totaling approximately $3.5 billion.
"That is why russia was expelled from the UNESCO Executive Board, as well as from many international organizations! Ukraine is being destroyed. Not only physically. Culture and spirituality are being destroyed. Unfortunately, this is not the first time in our Ukrainian history, because the entire history of the neighboring russian federation is the history of colonial and imperial policy. I am convinced that representatives of many countries present here have experienced this. But Ukrainian culture exists and develops despite everything," emphasized the Vice Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine.
In conclusion, Olena Kondratiuk reminded that Ukraine is currently preparing for the Peace Summit to be held in June in Switzerland, and she called on all the countries participating in the Forum to participate.
"We will survive! Because we are a peaceful democratic country. We have not attacked anyone, we have not oppressed anyone. We strive for peace. We have developed our own Ukrainian plan — the Peace Plan of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which consists of ten comprehensive points. For Ukraine, this is one of the most important summits because it is about justice! It is about peace! About global security and international law," the Deputy Chairwoman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized.