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Polish senators condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine one year on

21.02.2023 22:30
Poland’s upper house of parliament has marked the upcoming first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by condemning the Kremlin’s aggression and paying tribute to the heroic defiance of the Ukrainian people.
Polands upper house, the Senate, in session on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
Poland's upper house, the Senate, in session on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.PAP/Piotr Nowak

The Polish Senate expressed its stance in a special resolution, which was adopted unanimously on Tuesday, state news agency PAP reported. 

The resolution passed in a 91-0 vote with no abstentions, according to news outlets.

Polish Senate ‘unreservedly condemns’ Russia

The Polish upper house said: “The Senate of the Republic of Poland unreservedly condemns Russia’s war operations in Ukraine and the war crimes being committed during these operations, which should be tried by an international criminal tribunal.”

The resolution added: “The Senate of the Republic of Poland pays tribute to the fallen soldiers and civilians, including Polish citizens, shares the pain of their families, and thanks everyone who supports fighting Ukraine.”

‘Admiration and respect’ for Ukraine

The Polish senators went on to say: “The Senate of the Republic of Poland expresses its admiration and respect for the citizens and authorities of Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelensky, for their heroic and exemplary conduct during the war operations.”

The resolution added that the Senate “appreciates the soldierly courage, civilian determination and bold leadership of fighting Ukraine.”

Senator Bogdan Klich, who outlined the resolution before it was put to the vote, said that “Russia attacked Ukraine to seize its territory and exterminate the Ukrainian nation.” He added that war crimes were being committed in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine.

‘We bow our heads before Ukraine’s leaders’

“We bow our heads before Ukraine’s leaders, who are demonstrating what real leadership of the nation looks like,” said Klich, who is a senator with the opposition Civic Platform (KO) party.     

Ukraine’s Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych attended the proceedings and addressed the senators after the resolution was adopted. 

'I would like to thank you for your support': Ukrainian ambassador

The Ukrainian envoy said: “It’s an honour for me to be among real friends, people with a big heart. On behalf of the Ukrainian nation and the president, I would like to thank you for your support.” 

“You are showing how to act with deeds, not with words, when there is a real threat,” Zvarych added.

“We will never tire in our fight for our freedom and yours,” he also said.

In a major speech in Warsaw on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden vowed that America and its allies "will not tire" of supporting Ukraine and that "Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia."

Tuesday was day 363 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(pm/gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, senat.gov.pl