At an event in Kyiv marking the third anniversary of Bucha’s liberation, European Parliament Vice-President Martin Hojsík stressed the urgent need for justice in the wake
of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Representing Parliament President Roberta Metsola at the 2025 Bucha Summit, Hojsík joined European parliamentary leaders to honor the victims of the Bucha massacre and underscore the call for accountability.
“Peace that lacks justice is not true peace,” Hojsík said. “The tragedy in Bucha is a stark reminder of that truth. From the very beginning of Russia’s aggression, the European Parliament has demanded thorough investigations and prosecutions for war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
He reiterated the EU’s steadfast support for Ukraine: “We must continue to stand with Ukraine and intensify our efforts to secure a just and lasting peace. Ukraine’s future lies within the European Union.”
About the 2025 Bucha Summit
The summit brought together speakers and heads of delegation from the national parliaments of Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
In a powerful joint statement, the leaders condemned Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war, reaffirming their commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. They also renewed their call for the creation of a special tribunal to address the crime of aggression committed against Ukraine.
The statement emphasized the need for:
- Substantially increased aid to Ukraine
- Stronger sanctions against Russia
- A comprehensive, just, and lasting peace
- Continued support for Ukraine’s path to EU membership and its sovereign right to determine its future, free from external interference
Context
Earlier in March, the European Parliament adopted a resolution renewing its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s pursuit of a just peace and urged EU member states to boost assistance.
Looking ahead, on April 1, MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will meet to discuss holding Russia accountable for war crimes committed in Ukraine. The session will be broadcast live. Photo by Ukrinform TV / Ukrainian Armed Forces, Wikimedia commons.