Denys Monastyrskyy: Today's war for Ukraine is not only a patriotic war for the independence of our country, it is also a struggle for our European choice

Today's war for Ukraine is not only a patriotic war for the independence of our state, it is also a struggle for our European choice. This was stated by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Denys Monastyrskyy on March 28 during an extraordinary online meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council.

Denys Monastyrskyy briefed theads of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the EU countries on the main narratives of the first month of the war, and also outlined the role and contribution of the bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the defense of Ukraine.

"Ukraine is courageously defending itself. russia, as a permanent member of

the UN Security Council, commits an act of war against Ukraine and ignores the mandatory decisions of the UN International Court of Justice to immediately cease hostilities, thus demonstrating that such a country has no place in this organization, "said the Interior Minister.

The Minister also stressed the difficult situation with the mined territories, which are currently being liberated by the military. He called on his colleagues to involve experts in the joint demining of the Ukrainian land - meter by meter.

The participants also discussed the sanctions against russia. The Ministry of Internal Affairs calls for their strengthening. In particular, to block land and sea transport connections with russia and belarus, inter alia to stop the transportation of goods and people.

Denis Monastyrskyy has initiated a refugee protection mechanism: the State Migration Service of Ukraine under the auspices of EUROPOL is creating an international information platform to prevent human trafficking among Ukrainian refugees.

An important aspect during the discussion was the establishment of the Solidarity Fund to support EU countries that accept migrants from Ukraine.

"We expect that the European Union will shortly develop appropriate mechanisms and the announced fund of EUR 3.4 billion will help Ukrainians adapt to life," said the Interior Minister.

The Minister expressed his gratitude to the heads of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the EU countries for their comprehensive support of Ukraine at a gruelling time and assured of further fruitful cooperation on the way to victory.