VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “Maltàs neutrality does not imply indifference to the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia”. The string declaration came from the President of Malta George Vella in a message to the people of Ukraine on the first anniversary of the war.
He emphasized that “Malta continues to stand by Ukraine,” clarifying once again that “Maltàs neutrality does not imply indifference to attacks on our shared principles, the deplorable loss of life and the suffering brought to innocent civilian people”.
In a message addressed to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, George Vella described the Russian invasion as “unjustified” and that has “shaken us all to the core”.
He referred to Maltàs commitment to “continue assisting the people of Ukraine across the board within the limits, and to the best of our capabilities. We will continue to provide humanitarian assistance and give special medical treatment in our health facilities”.
The Maltese President added: “the scenes we have witnessed over this past year should have us all recoil in shame and reflect on human frailty in the face of the brutality of war”.
Referring to the senseless unrelenting violence, Vella insisted “our collective message has to be a clear, unanimous and resounding one. We definitely cannot accept that the cardinal principles of respect for sovereignty and self-determination be swept aside by aggression and military might. Our message remains unchanged – the fundamental principles which lie at the heart of a civilised international order are there to be respected by all. We rightfully expect all countries, big or small, to honour this basic tenet of global diplomacy”.
The invasion of Ukraine, Vella said, constitutes a direct threat to the multilateral system, with the United Nations at its core. “We have to remain united, and not leave any room or pretext for the convenient dilution of the norms and standards that have clearly guided the international community for decades. This is a heartfelt appeal that needs to reach all our international partners and global actors who could have a say in contributing to an end of this indiscriminate violence, and work towards a possible path to peace once the opportunity arises”.
While saluting the people of Ukraine for their inspiring bravery and courage, Vella praised “the bravery of those who stayed to defend what is rightly theirs”.
He referred to the courage of those, especially women, who left their homeland and travelled thousands of kilometres to save the lives of their loved ones. “Our admiration towards all of you is boundless as you continue to be a symbol of hope and the protection of our shared values as determined by the UN Charter”.
The President of Malta concluded his message by conveying, on behalf of the People of Malta, his strong solidarity and support to the President Zelenskyy and to the brave People of Ukraine.
Meanwhile the Ukrainian community in Malta put up billboards in various prominent parts of Malta marking the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the killing of thousands of innocent civilians. The billboards show Russian President Vladimir Putin holding a knife, accusing him of killing innocent civilians for a whole year. The Ukrainian community in Malta will hold a rally in Valletta this evening emphasizing that “an Ukrainian victory is the whole world’s victory”.
– photo agenziafotogramma.it-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews