President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and its Secretariat, along with European parliamentarians, took part in the Bucha Summit 2025, where European leaders expressed support for Ukraine and honored the memory of the victims of the tragedy
01 April 2025, 18:21
The Bucha Summit 2025, chaired by the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk, served as an important platform to analyze the consequences of the crimes committed by russian troops and highlight the importance of justice for the victims. Apart from the leadership of the Ukrainian Parliament, the event was attended by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and 19 European parliamentarians, who adopted a Joint Statement following the Summit, reaffirming their common commitment to support Ukraine on its path to restoration and fight for freedom.
The Bucha Summit 2025 is an important event for Ukraine and Europe, bringing together speakers and vice-speakers of the parliaments of Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the European Parliament.
Prior to the beginning of the Bucha Summit 2025, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, with the heads of the parliaments of European countries, commemorated the victims of the tragedy, every innocent resident of Bucha whose life was cut short by the crimes of the russian occupiers.
«We will not forgive russian crimes and this entire war, as forgiveness would mean accepting that a system like the current Russian regime has a right to exist and to expand at the expense of other nations - a system that feeds on human lives,» Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed. The President emphasized that effective international law is required for Ukrainians and all Europeans to be protected from such threats. Justice must be ensured to prevent the spread of evil, and sustained pressure and sanctions against russia are essential to stop the war and further violence.
European parliamentarians voiced their firm support for Ukraine on its path to a lasting and just peace. Speaking at the Summit, Vice-President of the European Parliament Martin Hojsík stated that russia must be held accountable for its crimes during the aggression against Ukraine. The Vice-President of the European Parliament also appealed for the establishment of a special tribunal to investigate the crime of aggression and stated that Ukraine's future lies in the European Union. «Peace without justice is not genuine peace. The victims of the russian massacre in Bucha are a reminder of this. Since the beginning of the russian aggression, the European Parliament has been calling for a fair investigation and punishment of war crimes and crimes against humanity,» Martin Hojsík said.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal in his speech stated that russia's crimes have been documented and Ukraine insists on bringing all criminals to justice, as well as on ensuring russia's financial responsibility by confiscating its frozen assets, as they should be used to restore destroyed infrastructure and residential areas. «The wounds of Bucha will never heal completely, just like the wounds of Mariupol, Izyum, Olenivka, Kramatorsk. We remember the victims of russian terror. We honor the heroes of liberation. We are doing everything possible to make the enemy respond and pay for their crimes,» Denys Shmyhal said.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, said: «This is not just a question of Ukraine - it is a question of peace in the whole of Europe. We all want to see a ceasefire, but it must be sustainable and real, not just a respite for the aggressor. Ukrainians have the right for their land, for peace and for a democratically elected government.» He also underlined that russian troops are continuing their offensive on Ukrainian territories even when the aggressor claims a ceasefire, which only deepens the threat to the whole of Europe.
In his final speech, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, expressed his gratitude to the European countries for their continued support and solidarity, and appreciated their participation in the Bucha Summit. The Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament emphasized the importance of adopting the Joint Statement, which is a sign of unity and determination of the international community in supporting Ukraine. «This document is a call for unity and the triumph of justice!» Ruslan Stefanchuk said, highlighting that such unity is the key to achieving a just peace. The Joint Statement adopted by the Summit participants consolidates principles and goals, confirming the readiness of the international community to stand by Ukraine until the war is over and justice is restored.
Full text of the Joint Statement of the participants of the Bucha Summit 2025