One year ago today, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his brutal war of aggression against the sovereign and independent Ukraine. Since that day, the people there have been living through agony, death and displacement. Unimaginable, but suffering and grief have become an integral part of their everyday lives.

Putin is fighting against freedom and democracy. Until the Russian president ends his cruel war, the occupation and the violence, Ukraine is also fighting for our freedom and our values in Europe!

I stand firmly on the side of Ukraine and its brave people! As the Greens/EFA Group, we call for further strict sanctions against Russia, clear condemnation of the Russian war of aggression and international solidarity.

World peace is based on the recognition of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of every country. Those who violate territorial integrity must withdraw their troops from the occupied country. Our dialog and our efforts for peace must continue to focus on this.