Ukrainian representatives exited the European Youth Event in Strasbourg, the largest youth forum in Europe held biannually at the European Parliament. This action was prompted by the speech of Daria Navalnaya, daughter of a Russian opposition leader, who was highlighted by the organizers as a key speaker at the event.
The event took place on June 14. Solomiya Koval, Taya Mamchak, and Darina Pidlubna, members of the Ukrainian delegation from Lviv, shared their stance in a video address.
“We learned about Navalnaya's speech only in the hall. There was no prior warning. She spoke about human rights, freedom of speech and language, while Russia is daily destroying these same rights in Ukraine,” the participants stated.
Daria Navalnaya was part of one of the main discussion panels and delivered a key inspirational speech. The organizers particularly emphasized her address.
The Ukrainian delegates insisted this was unacceptable for them.
“We arrived from a country that faces attacks every day. Our peers are dying on the front lines. To see a Russian woman take a key role in the European Parliament is offensive to us and our struggle,” they asserted.
This was not an isolated incident: a lawyer from Russia, Vyacheslav Samonov, also spoke at the forum. The Russian language was heard in the corridors of the event. While there was room for Russian speakers among the key speakers, there was none for Ukrainians, even though Lviv holds the title of European Youth Capital.
“The European Parliament has enough specialists not to invite representatives from an aggressor state, especially without explanations. That is why we left the hall. We will not remain silent,” the delegates emphasized.
The situation was addressed by the Mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi.
“I don’t understand what Ukrainians have done wrong that our youth must defend their country in one part of Europe and participate in public events on the same level as Russians in another. We will send an official letter to the President of the European Parliament. Ukrainian youth must be heard,” the Mayor of Lviv concluded.
