Katarina Mathernova:   Europe stands firm. Ukraine is not alone. Not today, not ever. Ukraine belongs in Europe.

Two wise men from Lviv gave us the legal foundation to prosecute Putin for war crimes.

Our modern concept of international criminal law derives largely from the work of two lawyers from Lviv — Hersch Lauterpacht and Raphael Lemkin — the originators of the concepts of crimes against humanity and genocide.

Today — symbolically on Europe Day — Lviv turned into a European diplomatic capital. The City Hall hosted two important events: a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, together with ministers of the UK, Moldova, North Macedonia & Norway. And the launch of the Special Tribunal for the War of Aggression. Prime Minister Денис Шмигаль with Minister of Foreugn Affairs Andrij Sybiha and Mayor of Lviv Андрій Садовий played perfect hosts to European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas & her ministerial colleagues.

There can be no sustainable peace without justice. This simple, yet powerful, message echoed throughout the City Hall with ministers welcoming this historic step towards justice and accountability for Russian war crimes.

Before sitting down to meetings we honoured over 1,000 fallen defenders at Lychakiv Cemetery. The tragic reality of this war is that, by now, the sea of flags & graves is about three times as big as when I first visited it back in early 2023.

Today was a day full of emotion. Day full of important messages. Day full of symbolism.

Europe stands firm. Ukraine is not alone. Not today, not ever. Ukraine belongs in Europe.