International Round Table "A Year of War in Ukraine: Beginning, Evolution, and Prospects"

January – February 2023: Participation in the Preparation of the International Round Table "A Year of War in Ukraine: Beginning, Evolution, and Prospects"

From January to February 2023, the Public Resources and Initiatives Charitable Foundation took part, in partnership, in organizing and conducting the International Round Table "A Year of War in Ukraine: Beginning, Evolution, and Prospects." The event was organized by the Union of Ukrainians in Romania (UUR) and the Parliamentary Group of National Minorities in the Chamber of Deputies (Romania).

Context and Purpose

On February 28, 2023, marking the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Union of Ukrainians in Romania (UUR), in cooperation with the Parliamentary Group of National Minorities in the Chamber of Deputies, and with the support of the Center for Political Narratives of Democracy (Chernivtsi, Ukraine) and the Public Resources and Initiatives Charitable Foundation, organized the International Round Table "A Year of War in Ukraine: Beginning, Evolution, and Prospects" in the Parliament of Romania.

Participants

The event gathered around 80 participants, including nearly 30 speakers, among them:

• Members of Parliament
• Representatives of central government institutions (Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Development, Ministry of Investments and European Projects, Department for Interethnic Relations)
• Local government officials
• Ambassador of Ukraine to Romania
• Representatives of public television and radio
• National Agency for Combating Human Trafficking
• Academics, business leaders, and civil society representatives from Romania and Ukraine

Key Discussions

The session opened with remarks from Mykola-Miroslav Petretskyi, Chairman of the Union of Ukrainians in Romania (UUR) and Member of Parliament, who addressed the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the multidimensional support Romania has provided, and the role of civil society in assisting both Ukrainian refugees in Romania and those remaining in Ukraine.

Romanian Participants' Statements

Romanian officials:

• Condemned Russia’s illegal, unjustified, and unprovoked full-scale military aggression against Ukraine
• Expressed full solidarity and unwavering support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people
• Highlighted Romania’s humanitarian, economic, and logistical contributions, including:

• • Facilitating the export of Ukrainian grain

  • Enhancing transport connectivity

  • Supporting Ukraine’s European integration

• Acknowledged the courage and resilience of Ukrainian soldiers, who have become a symbol of the fight for freedom and democracy, defending not only Ukraine but all of Europe

Ukrainian Participants' Statements

Ukrainian speakers shared:

• The severe humanitarian and military crisis in Ukraine after 12 months of full-scale war
• Russian war crimes, including atrocities against civilians, destruction, and loss of life, particularly among children
• Deep gratitude for Romania’s humanitarian aid and its warm welcome to Ukrainian refugees
• The urgent need for greater international assistance to help Ukraine secure victory against Russia

Photo Exhibitions

As part of the International Round Table in the Parliament of Romania, two powerful photo exhibitions were presented:

1. "The War in Ukraine Through Children's Eyes"

• Organized by the Center for Political Narratives of Democracy (Chernivtsi, Ukraine)
• In partnership with the Juliusz Mieroszewski Centre (Poland)
• Supported by the Public Resources and Initiatives Charitable Foundation
• Showcased the impact of war on Ukrainian children through photography

1. "A Mother's Pain"

• Organized by the All-Ukrainian Public Movement of Mothers and Relatives of ATO Participants "Berehynia"
• Portrayed the grief of mothers who lost their sons in war and those whose loved ones remain missing

Conclusion

The International Round Table "A Year of War in Ukraine: Beginning, Evolution, and Prospects" served as a crucial platform for dialogue between Ukrainian and Romanian representatives. It reinforced the strong solidarity of Romania with Ukraine, acknowledged the tremendous sacrifices of the Ukrainian people, and emphasized the need for continued international support until Ukraine achieves victory.