(MENAFN- UkrinForm) First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Dzheppar of Ukraine, during her address to the legislative assembly of the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, emphasized common values and the desire to live in a free and safe world. That's according to a video the first deputy minister posted on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.
'I was glad to speak before the legislative assembly of the multi-million city of Buenos Aires. Ukraine and Argentina are separated by thousands of kilometers and the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean. But the very fact that the city hall of Buenos Aires held a separate event dedicated to Ukraine proves one thing: we have common values and we want to live in a free and safe world,' she said, addressing the assembly in Spanish.
The deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the representatives of the legislative assembly that, as of February 2023, Russia had captured about 18% of the Ukrainian territory, which is nearly 110,000 square kilometers of 'torture, death, and non-freedom', and that the area nearly equals the Argentine province of Santa Fe.
Dzheppar recalled her own experience of Russia occupying Crimea in 2014, noting that she was forced to flee her small homeland and begin her struggle for the right to return there after the peninsula is liberated from the invaders.
Read also: ukrainian president appoints ambassadors to argentina , nigeria 'My country and Argentina are separated by thousands of kilometers and the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean. But we have common values and want to live in a free and safe world. The only way to achieve this is through Ukraine's victory. We often say that everything started and should end with Crimea. These words actually became the slogan of the International Crimean Platform. This is a unique diplomatic tool that unites more than 60 states and international organizations. There is only one goal – the de-occupation of Crimea. We would be very happy to see our Argentine friends in this circle,' said the first deputy minister.
Dzeppar emphasized that, over the year of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainians have became stronger as a nation, and today stand side by side, regardless of ethnic origin, religion, or gender.
She also emphasized the contribution made by Ukrainian women to the future victory and emphasized that the war is always near.
'Probably, there is not a single person in Ukraine who wouldn't have friends or relatives who are at the front. Some of my diplomatic colleagues or their children also took up arms. Last week, our colleague from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lost his son. He was only 25. So I'd like to address you also as parents. Your support of Ukraine in this war is a contribution to the future of children across the world. Today, we, politicians and diplomats, must restore peace and security, respect for international law and moral principles,' Dzheppar said.
She suggested that in some countries of Latin America, Asia, and Africa, people actually have a hard time understanding why the whole world is so focused on the war raging in Ukraine. The reason for this is powerful Russian propaganda that misleads its audiences.
Read also: canada's intelligence seeing no readiness for peace talks in russia's actions The deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Ukraine's ultimate goal is peace, and spoke about the peace formula put forward by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Dzheppar expressed her gratitude to Argentina for co-authoring and supporting the relevant resolution of the UN General Assembly 'Principles of the Charter of the United Nations underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.' She added that Ukraine is counting on Argentina's active participation in the implementation of Ukraine's peace formula.
'One year after the invasion, we are confident of our victory. Strategically, the Kremlin has already lost this war, although they are still trying to seize the initiative, sending thousands of Russians to their deaths. I am convinced that everyone at their level can help Ukraine win. And it will be a joint victory,' emphasized Dzheppar.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, an event in support of Ukraine was held by the legislative body of Buenos Aires a year into Russia's full-scale invasion. The event was attended by local authorities, officials representing the Group of Seven, European Union, and other countries, as well as the Ukrainian community.