Address of the of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Ruslan Stefanchuk's address during a solemn meeting on the occasion of the Norwegian Constitution Day, Oslo, on 17th May 2023.
Dear Mr. President of the Storting!
Dear Norwegian people!
Dear Ukrainians!
Dear friends!
Kjære norske venner!
First of all, I would like to sincerely thank you, Mr. President, for giving me the opportunity to address the Norwegian people on the Constitution Day of the Kingdom of Norway in the very heart of your country.
It is a great honor for me to be in your country at this special time and to celebrate with you May 17, the day when the Norwegian Constitution was signed in 1814.
This is the day when you organize an extremely large and sincere celebration – the Schoolchildren's Parade, which brings together children from all over Norway.
This year, along with your children, our children, Ukrainians who were forced to seek refuge in Norway from Russian aggression, are marching.
I very much hope that very soon, when we win and restore peace in Ukraine, all Ukrainian children, including those who were forcibly and illegally taken to Russia, will return to their homes and schools.
I will be also able to invite all of you to take part in a peaceful parade in Kyiv, where we will pay tribute to the victims and celebrate our great common victory!
Our struggle is also the struggle of the entire democratic world against absolute evil and authoritarianism.
It is a struggle against Russia's intentions to destroy not only the Ukrainian state, people and culture, but also the international legal order, European values and human rights.
Today, on my own behalf and on behalf of all Ukrainians, I would like to thank Norway and the Norwegian people for their help and support.
You have proven to be true friends and reliable partners in this difficult time for our country.
Thank you for opening your hearts and homes to us and lending a helping hand.
From the first day of the full-scale Russian aggression, Norway immediately took a prominent place among the leaders in terms of practical support for Ukraine in all areas: defense, political, economic and humanitarian.
I thank the whole of Norway, His Majesty King Harald V, the Storting, President of the Norwegian Parliament Masud Gharahkhani, the Norwegian Government, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, leaders of all political parties for their solidarity with Ukraine, for the assistance provided during this time, as well as for Nansen's unprecedented support package.
We are extremely grateful to you and will never forget it!
Thank you, dear Norway!
I wish the friendly Norwegian people continued prosperity and well-being!
Last updated: 17.05.2023 10:18