Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andrii Parubii has taken place in solemn events dedicated to the sector anniversary of establishment of voluntary battalions of the Ministry of Interior Affairs of Ukraine.
In his speech, he remembered the times right after the Euromaidan events, when the country was paralyzed by sabotage of the law enforcement bodies and when the Russian occupants first stepped on the Ukrainian land. "Then the guys from the self-defense decided not to go home but to go and protect their motherland," Parubii said. He also said that it was the way how voluntary battalions were formed.
The Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada called the Ukrainian voluntary movement a unique event not only for Ukraine, but also for the whole world. He reminded the words of Deputy Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Alexander Vershbow, who said that today is the period, when Ukrainian soldiers can provide NATO with the most up-to-date experience in holding combat activities. Parubii noted that Ukrainian combatants managed to counteract to one of the most powerful aggressors in the world. The volunteers — yesterday's teachers, students and entrepreneurs — took arms and went to the frontline having no experience, but having great will, level of patriotism and desire to protect their country.
He reminded how difficult it was then to take rapid, proper and effective decisions.
The Chairperson of the Ukrainian Parliament noted the importance to remember that there is "a joint Ukrainian front — we have to move towards the common Ukrainian victory together." "I believe that the Ukrainian voluntary movement that stopped Putin in the East has become a real achievement in the Ukrainian history and that hundreds of thousands of talented commanders — Ukrainians, managers — will manage to draw Ukraine onto the new, highest level of a powerful, modern European state. I want to wish you and all of us victory, Glory to Ukraine!"
Andrii Parubii gave valuable gifts to combatants of voluntary battalions.