Monday, February 24 marks three years since Ukraine was invaded by Russia. Earlier this month, Senator Boris Dittrich (D66) visited Kyiv with a delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA). The delegation, consisting of 22 members from various countries, discussed the importance of international support for Ukraine with several leaders.
OSCE Delegation
Delegation leader Pia Kauma (Finland) recalled that it is nearly fifty years since the Helsinki Final Act was drafted. Kauma stated, “We are here to reaffirm OSCE PAs full support for the government, society, and people of Ukraine, who still face enormous challenges.” She emphasized the importance of Ukraine having a seat at the negotiation table.
During the visit, the delegation met with parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariana Betsa.
North Korean Missiles
Boris Dittrich (D66) participated in the delegation on behalf of the Dutch Senate. He has been appointed to the OSCE PAs parliamentary support group for Ukraine. Dittrich said, “We were supposed to meet with President Zelensky, but it was canceled because he received a call from President Trump, who had been speaking with President Putin.”
Upon arriving at the parliament building, there was some commotion. That morning, a ballistic missile had been fired at the building. “It was intercepted and landed about 150 meters away in a park. The missile was of North Korean make. Its bizarre that North Korean soldiers are fighting in Europe against a European country,” Dittrich recounted.
Exhausted and Longing for Peace
The days discussions took place under extraordinary circumstances: “Sandbags against the windows, soldiers in the hallway.” The talks were dominated by President Trumps statements claiming that Ukraine started the war against Russia. The Ukrainian counterparts were shocked and felt bypassed. “There can be no talks about Ukraine without Ukraine, was the message they conveyed to us,” Dittrich said.
“In the evening and at night, alarms went off: drone attacks. Everyone had to go to the shelter immediately. This happens almost every night in Kyiv, so good sleep is hard to come by. I had the impression that everyone was exhausted and longing for peace.”
The visit to the village of Moshchun made the biggest impression: “Here, villagers tried to stop the Russian troops, resulting in many deaths. Their photos were on the memorial. Young people around twenty who gave their lives to defend their freedom. We laid flowers and got a tour. As we walked back to the bus, an old lady in an oversized winter coat, it was about 10 degrees below zero, looked at me and cried, ‘Help us. Please, help us.’ That image will always stay with me,” he shared.