In his opening speech at the plenary meeting of the Ukrainian Parliament, Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andrii Parubii called on the people's deputies to observe a moment of silence in tribute to the memory of the victims of political repressions in Ukraine.
Parubii noted that different sources provide "shocking figures — 45 to 80 million Soviet Union citizens repressed and killed citizens by the Stalin's regime."
"The Empire — no matter whether it was Russian or Soviet one — used the same methods against the Ukrainians. The nation's leaders or all those, who could resist or fight against the occupant, were killed or sent to Siberia. There is probably no Ukrainian family untouched by this tragedy," the Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada said.
Besides, Andrii Parubii noted that his family also suffered political repressions: Speaker's relations were relocated to Siberia for 10 years.
"Today, as well as 80 years ago, Russia continues to persecute Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars on the occupied territories. All the Ukrainian lands will be liberated," the Chairperson of the Ukrainian Parliament said.