Honouring the Ukrainian people's 'bravery' in standing up to a 'brutal regime', the European Parliament has awarded this year's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the Ukrainian people. The announcement was made by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in a plenary session in Strasbourg on Wednesday afternoon.
"This award is for those Ukrainians fighting on the ground," Metsola said. "For those who have been forced to flee. For those who have lost relatives and friends. For all those who stand up and fight for what they believe in. I know that the brave people of Ukraine will not give up and neither will we."
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy thanked the European Parliament for the prize, highlighting the importance of EU support for Ukraine. "Ukrainians prove dedication to the values of freedom, democracy every day on the battlefield against the terrorist state of Russia," he stated on Twitter.
In a press release, the Parliament called attention to the "enormous costs" being inflicted upon the Ukrainian people by Russia's war of aggression.
Since the Russia's launched its full-blown invasion on 24 February, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have been killed, including nearly 1000 children. 7 million Ukrainians have also been displaced, thousands have been physically maimed, and many others have suffered acute psychological trauma.
The war has also shattered Ukraine’s economy, caused severe damage to numerous historical and cultural sites, and virtually destroyed entire cities.
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The Sakharov Prize, named in honour of the acclaimed Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded annually by the European Parliament.
Set up in 1988, it is officially described it as "as the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work. It gives recognition to individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to protecting freedom of thought."
Previous winners include former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela, Pakistani female education activist and fellow Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, and currently jailed Russian dissident Alexei Navalny.
