COUNTY DURHAM STANDS WITH UKRAINE
Yesterday the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, delivered a truly historic address to MPs in the House of Commons. In a display of unity and solidarity with Ukraine, I joined fellow MPs from across our county to send a very loud message-- County Durham supports the Ukrainian people in their unwavering struggle for freedom.
It seems increasingly likely that Putin is heading towards a historic defeat.Putin’s dream of rebuilding the Russian empire has always rested on the lie that Ukraine isn’t a real nation, that Ukrainians aren’t a real people, and that the inhabitants of Kyiv, Kharkiv and Lviv yearn for Moscow’s rule.
That’s a complete lie – Ukraine is a nation with more than a thousand years of history, and Kyiv was already a major metropolis when Moscow was not even a village. But the Russian despot has told his lie so many times that he apparently believes it himself.
We can all be inspired to dare to do something, whether it is make a donation, welcome refugees, or help with the struggle online. The war in Ukraine will shape the future of the entire world. If tyranny and aggression are allowed to win, we will all suffer the consequences.
Unfortunately, this war is likely to be long-lasting. Taking different forms, it may well continue for years. But the most important issue has already been decided. The last few days have proved to the entire world that Ukraine is a very real nation, that Ukrainians are a very real people, and that they definitely don’t want to live under a new Russian empire.
The main question left open is how long it will take for this message to penetrate the Kremlin’s thick walls.
