Dear Cabinet Secretary, Convenor, ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of the Ukrainian Consulate, let me start by sincerely thanking you all for the opportunity to address this important gathering here today.

I also want to record our nation’s huge gratitude for the outstanding support of the Scottish people and their government as well as that of the people's of the wider United Kingdom home nations since Russia’s invasion of our nation some two years ago.

These days Ukraine remembers the dates of the beginning of the tragic events that not only changed the recent history of our state, but also made an impact on the history of the entire European continent and the world.

Two years ago, from the nightly news reports you witnessed the unwarranted invasion and barbaric actions by Russia against Ukraine, and I am certain you will agree that the world cannot allow the tyranny and atrocities carried out by Russia to prevail. We all know it that if these acts of aggression are allowed to succeed, it will not stop there, as the lessons of the Second World War give tragic testimony.

Tyrants from wherever they emerge must be stood up to by all nations of the free world and Putin's playbook of trying to divide Europe and NATO nations must be defeated by all democratic nations standing with Ukraine, particularly as my nation continues to pay a huge price in blood for the cause of freedom and Democracy throughout Europe and the free world.

The cost to Ukraine has been huge with its citizens being attacked daily, its vital infrastructure including hospitals, schools, power and water supplies being constantly bombed which, as you will all be aware, is against the rules of the Geneva Conventions and the norms of all civilized society.

Many innocent people including women and children suffer a daily slaughter through missile and drone attacks and these continue to grow. We have also witnessed the large scale ethnic cleansing and displacement of our citizens from the occupied territories whilst also observing the large-scale abduction of children removed from Ukraine and sent to Russia against their will. The extent of such horrendous war crimes is wide spread and sadly in many instances go unreported in the Western press.

The process of illegal adoption of Ukrainian children in Russia is on a large scale. At least 380 Ukrainian children have been placed under so-called ''temporary guardianship'' (in fact illegally adopted) in Russia. Russian officials actively participate in Russia’s genocidal campaign. Sergey Mironov, the leader of political parliamentary party "A Just Russia", and his wife, Inna Varlamova, "adopted" a child kidnapped from Ukraine and changed her name. Thus, Margarita became "Marina Mironova". Russia is destroying connection and any memories of deported children about Ukraine, so they should be returned home as soon as possible. We must force Russia to comply with the Geneva Conventions and immediately provide comprehensive lists of the names and locations of all illegally deported Ukrainian children.

In the morning of 7th February Russia conducted several strikes on 6 Ukrainian regions, using a total of 64 air attack means - attack drones, cruise, ballistic and surface-to-air missiles. 5 civilians have been killed and at least 51 injured in the result of the attack. According to preliminary conclusions of experts, 2 of the ballistic missiles used in the attack on Kharkiv are North Korean, HVASON 11GA.

Russia continues to accumulate troops while losing a great number of soldiers in "human wave attacks". The enemy's losses in the war are 7-8 times higher than Ukrainian ones. They sacrifice an average of 400 soldiers in exchange for 1 km² of land. The entire resource of the Russian armed forces is now concentrated on the territory of Ukraine, amounting to 462,000 personnel. In addition, 35,000 Rosgvardia units are operating in the temporarily occupied territories. Currently, nearly 26% of Ukraine’s territory is occupied. 50% of the territory occupied after 24 February 2022 was liberated by the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

It is against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, that I call on you to not only continue to stand with us in our critical hour of need but to reenforce your support to our citizens temporarily seeking refuge here in Scotland, and by your wider support for the protection and reconstruction of our nation and its citizens in the years to come.

I would like to conclude by reminding you of part of a seminal speech made by your Great War time leader Winston Churchill when in an address to the American people in 1938, prophetically spoke of the emerging tyranny within Europe with these words:

“I avail myself with relief of the opportunity of speaking to the people of the United States. I do not know how long such liberties will be allowed. The stations of uncensored expression are closing down; the lights are going out; but there is still time for those to whom freedom and parliamentary government mean something, to consult together. Let me, then, speak in truth and earnestness while time remains”.

Convenor, ladies and gentlemen, please continue to stand by Ukraine in order to stop the lights of democracy and freedom from going out throughout Europe and the free world.

And I propose the SPG get its official statement out on Russia's deplorable war crimes in Ukraine against the people of Ukraine, strongly condemning abduction of the Ukrainian children and violating the Third Geneva Convention in terms of the right of prisoners to a fair trial and the prevention of torture.

I very much thank you for the invitation, for every expression of support for our state, our people, our children!