During a recent visit to Ukraine with the ALDE Party and the Alliance of Her, I joined the largest delegation of women to enter the country since the full-scale invasion. Hosted by the Servants of the People party, the political force behind President Zelensky and many courageous liberal women, our experience was both emotionally draining and profoundly moving.
By Alva Finn, Executive Director of the European Liberal Forum
During a recent visit to Ukraine with the ALDE Party and the Alliance of Her, I joined the largest delegation of women to enter the country since the full-scale invasion. Hosted by the Servants of the People party, the political force behind President Zelensky and many courageous liberal women, our experience was both emotionally draining and profoundly moving.
The journey began with an overnight train to Kyiv, a stark reminder of the disrupted infrastructure Ukrainians now navigate daily. Upon arrival, the piercing wail of air raid sirens shattered the early morning, a recurring alarm at 4 or 5 AM daily. Yet, Ukrainians face these daily disruptions with remarkable resilience.
35,000 stolen childhoods
Each morning, a minute of silence honours the immense loss of life. Despite the normalisation of war’s inconveniences, the deep pain of human loss remains with Ukrainians. The Ukrainians present shed tears with us as we listened to their stories because they are still moved by the sacrifices of their people. We met with civil society that are documenting the impact of the war and helping to build resilience, an increasingly important task in a country where the whole of society is engaged in defending Ukrainian democracy and human rights. We heard harrowing accounts from the Ukrainian Ombudsperson, families, and child survivors about the estimated 35,000 Ukrainian children forcibly transferred to Russian territory. These acts, involving name changes, the indoctrination of the abducted children, and the potential conscription of older children into the Russian army, are hallmarks of ethnic cleansing and genocide as defined by the Geneva Convention.
The largest women’s army in the world
In this darkness, the bravery of Ukrainians is inspirational. Over 70,000 women serve in the military, a testament to their unwavering commitment. We met inspiring women across various sectors – police, army, hospitals, ambulance, and rescue services – all working tirelessly, often at personal sacrifice. They emphasised their agency in choosing this path and the guaranteed principle of equality within the armed forces, including equal pay.
The dedication to Ukraine’s future is also evident as officials seek to accelerate EU integration. We visited a dynamic European Hub within UNIT.City, where over 3,000 officials collaborate with government, civil society, and citizens on this crucial process, guided by figures like Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna. Despite wartime challenges, Ukraine is accelerating its integration efforts, aiming to open all negotiating areas within the next year. This aspiration for EU membership provides a vital source of hope for many. Despite recent tensions with the US, our Ukrainian hosts were feeling optimistic and our visit to the Parliament coincided with discussions regarding the recently signed minerals deal.
The brutal reality and quiet dignity of life under Russian occupation
Our second day offered a devastating glimpse into the brutal realities of life under Russian occupation. In the Chernihiv region, we visited a torture site in Yahidne village, where over 300 civilian villagers endured inhumane conditions during the initial occupation. The 40 minutes I spent in that dank, unheated basement, where 11 people died during their 27-day captivity, left an indelible mark. Civilians, including children, were forced to stand or sit for the entire ordeal, denied basic necessities. Even brief moments of sunlight were punctuated by the terror of soldiers firing shots at their feet. As ALDE President Svenja Hahn aptly noted, the grim reality of occupation should dispel any illusions about preferring it to resistance. Everywhere we went, we witnessed Russian attempts to wipe out not just infrastructure but the spirit and culture of Ukraine. Like those villagers who turned the school into a museum to document and recount their harrowing experience, we felt it is now our responsibility to bear witness to these atrocities.
All over Chernihiv, we saw the devastation of the war, bombed schools, homes and hospitals as the region acted as a bulwark to stop Russian forces from reaching the capital and eventually driving them out. As our host MP Yevheniia Kravchuk noted, the region had paid too high a price to halt the aggressor. Yet, Chernihiv inspires hope. Ukrainians are reconstructing at an impressive rate. Yahidne village is being rebuilt with ambitious community projects also planned just beside the school basement where the villagers were held.
Honouring Sacrifice with Action and Solidarity
Despite some narratives, Ukrainians are deeply grateful for the support they receive. Every person we met expressed profound thanks for the assistance from our governments, allies, and for the aid provided to refugees. They implored us to share their stories. After three years of war, we cannot afford to become desensitised to their daily tragedies. Ukraine is defending our shared European values on the frontline against an advancing coalition of autocracy. The disinformation campaigns across Europe, from Germany to Serbia, are part of a broader project to destabilise our continent. We must recognise the ‘big picture’, even from countries like my own that may feel geographically distant from the conflict.
Each expression of gratitude from our hosts felt wrong. It is we who owe Ukraine our thanks. They are fighting a battle that will likely define this century. The secure Europe we once knew is gone. We must ensure Ukraine not only survives but thrives within the European Union. Liberals must demand that Europe does everything it can to provide the weapons and air defence system needed to repel the daily missiles and show a clear path to becoming a full member of the EU with incentives along the way that honour their contribution to our shared security.
If you would like to know how you can help, please visit these websites that are raising funds for the cause:
United24: This is the official fundraising platform of Ukraine, initiated by the President. You can find information on various humanitarian projects and how to contribute. (https://u24.gov.ua/)
Nova Ukraine: A non-profit organisation providing humanitarian aid and raising awareness about Ukraine. (https://novaukraine.org/).