Dear Ursula, Dear Justin, Dear Colleagues,
Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Thank you for organising this pledging event.
We are appalled by the increasing atrocities, war crimes
and crimes against humanity
committed by the Russian armed forces
in a number of occupied Ukrainian towns.
We have to ensure that the perpetrators
as well as the responsible political and military leaders
will be held accountable for a massive violation of human rights
and international humanitarian law.
Russia should also be held responsible
for the cost of humanitarian assistance, reparations,
and eventual reconstruction.
I am very proud that the EU
responded to the Russian aggression quickly and united.
We have never been so decisive in our action
and in providing assistance.
I especially commend the neighbouring countries
for their unprecedented hospitality
and taking care of millions of Ukrainian refugees.
Slovenia is accepting all refugees coming from Ukraine to our country
and stands ready to assist further.
Slovenia was among the first countries in the EU
to donate in-kind assistance to Ukraine.
Further on, we have donated donated more than one million euros
of humanitarian aid through international organisations.
Today we are pledging additional almost one million euros
through the International Committee of the Red Cross
and World Food Programme
and as an in-kind assistance for Ukrainian refugees in Moldova,
Slovakia and Poland.
We stand in solidarity with Ukraine.
Slava Ukraini! Thank you.