In February, I was asked to form part of a delegation of MPs from all political parties who would visit Kyiv, to show the support of the UK Parliament for the Ukrainian people in withstanding the cruel Russian onslaught, and to have discussions about the support which the UK Government has provided and will continue to provide to Ukraine. It was very important for me, as the MP for Mid Derbyshire which has such a strong connection to Ukraine, to carry out this visit.
The delegation took place at exactly the same time as the first anniversary of the February 2022 invasion by Russian forces into Ukraine. Whilst we were in Kyiv, we visited the Ukrainian Parliament, which continues its daily work despite the war, and attended a medal presentation ceremony by President Zelenskyy conferring medals on Ukrainian servicemen and women.
This trip was an inspiring reminder of the importance of continuing our country's strong support for Ukraine, and of the great sacrifices made by the Ukrainian people in countering Russian aggression. We saw captured Russian military vehicles, paid our respects to Ukraine's war dead, and visited the Holodomor museum, where the victims of the 1932-33 Holodomor - forced famine - are commemorated.
The images attached to the article are photos taken during our visit, and include:
1) Abandoned Russian military vehicles in the centre of Kyiv;
2) The wall of honour commemorating those who died in fighting in Crimea, and which is being added to following the most recent invasion;
3) Burnt-out Ukrainian cars belonging to civilians who were attempting to flee Kyiv, and who were murdered by Russian soldiers;
4) The Holodomor memorial in Kyiv, recognising the millions of Ukrainians starved to death by Russian policies in 1932-33.
Next week in Parliament, I will be leading a debate on recognition of the 1932-33 Holodomor as a genocide, and also discussing the links between that terrible event and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
