One year ago, Putin’s Russian forces illegally and without provocation invaded Ukraine.
They believed that the war would be over within a week, but they did not count on the bravery and determination of the Ukrainian people, and the solidarity and support of the international community.
Over the course of three Prime Ministers, Britain has shown incredible commitment to providing weapons, ammunition and training to Ukrainian forces defending their sovereign territory.
In addition, the British people have once again showed their generosity and willingness to support refugees fleeing conflict through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. I know that a huge number of Ukrainian refugees have settled here in Mid Derbyshire, thanks to the kind support and longstanding relations between Derbyshire and Ukraine.
This is a war that Russia cannot and must not win. The government has set out that it is steadfast in its resolve to continue to help Ukraine to defend its sovereign territory, and I support them in this.
On this day, we remember all Ukrainians who have given their lives defending their homeland. I hope that Russian forces will retreat and be forced out of Ukraine long before the next anniversary of the invasion.
Slava Ukraini.