Honouring the Ukrainian people's 'bravery' in standing up to a 'brutal regime', the European Parliament has awarded this year's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the Ukrainian people. The announcement was made by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in a plenary session in Strasbourg on Wednesday afternoon.
    "This award is for those Ukrainians fighting on the ground," Metsola said. "For those who have been forced to flee. For those who have lost relatives and friends. For all those who stand up and fight for what they believe in. I know that the brave people of Ukraine will not give up and neither will we."
    Ukrainian President Zelenskyy thanked the European Parliament for the prize, highlighting the importance of EU support for Ukraine. "Ukrainians prove dedication to the values of freedom, democracy every day on the battlefield against the terrorist state of Russia," he stated on Twitter.
    In a press release, the Parliament called attention to the "enormous costs" being inflicted upon the Ukrainian people by Russia's war of aggression.
    Since the Russia's launched its full-blown invasion on 24 February, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have been killed, including nearly 1000 children. 7 million Ukrainians have also been displaced, thousands have been physically maimed, and many others have suffered acute psychological trauma.
    The war has also shattered Ukraine’s economy, caused severe damage to numerous historical and cultural sites, and virtually destroyed entire cities.