Juan David Latorre
The Ukrainian Embassy held an auction of various Ukrainian memorabilia on Wednesday to raise funds for the purchase of an armoured ambulance for the war front against Russia.
After observing a minute’s silence for “all the soldiers who gave their lives for Ukraine, for its freedom and for the Ukrainian people”, the Minister-Counsellor of the Ukrainian Embassy, Dmytro Matiuschenko, thanked a large number of members of the Ukrainian community, MPs, businessmen and diplomatic staff for their attendance.
This is both a festive and a sad day,” said the Ukrainian Minister-Counsellor. Festive because it is the 27th anniversary since the adoption of the Constitution of Ukraine, with deep historical roots, which demonstrates the commitment of Ukrainians to live in a free, democratic country; a commitment that is now transferred to the soldiers who are fighting daily against the Russian invader”.
Dmytro Matiuschenko continued by pointing out that “the first article of the Constitution of my country says that Ukraine is a sovereign, independent, democratic country, a state under the rule of law, with sovereignty emanating from the Ukrainian people. This Constitution has today a sacred value for all of us. It is imbued by a deep sense of the state that all of us share, by the pain that our families suffer.”
“The presence of so many members of the Ukrainian community and so many important guests,” concluded the Minister Counsellor, “gives me a deep sense of support for Ukraine that we cherish on a daily basis. The donations that have already been made, and those that will be made today, will go towards the purchase of the armoured ambulance. Another ambulance is already working on the Ukrainian front, two more are already paid for and will soon be there too, saving the lives of wounded Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. All of this gives me a sense of hope and conviction that not only will Ukraine prevail, but also that with our efforts we will make Russia pay for the war crimes it is committing on Ukrainian territory”.
