The Parliament of Estonia received the highest award from the Ukrainian World Congress – the St. Volodymyr the Great Medal – presented for an exceptional contribution to the development of Ukrainian life in the diaspora and Ukraine, in line with the goals and objectives of the UWC, and for a significant contribution to the development of the diaspora and/or Ukraine.
According to a statement from the Riigikogu, Vira Konyk, Head of the Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia, presented the award to Lauri Hussar, the Speaker of the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu). Attendees at the ceremony included Maksym Kononenko, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia, representatives of the Ukrainian community, and members of the Estonian Parliament.
“The Ukrainian World Congress, which unites Ukrainians living abroad, decided to present the Parliament with the Medal of St. Volodymyr for its contribution to supporting Ukraine, as well as for Estonia being the first in the world to recognize the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as a genocide of the Ukrainian people,” the statement reads.
The Congress of Ukrainians in Estonia submitted the petition to the UWC for the award to the Riigikogu, Vira Konyk reminded. “This is a very touching event for Ukrainians in Estonia, as Estonia has constantly and comprehensively supported Ukraine. The St. Volodymyr the Great Medal is a token of gratitude and honor from the Ukrainian international community in Estonia. The Estonian parliament was one of the first to recognize Russia as a terrorist state, and to call the Russian aggression against Ukraine a genocidal war. The Riigikogu approved an extremely important document on accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine,” added Vira Konyk.
“This recognition is not only for the Parliament but for the entire people of Estonia,” said Riigikogu Speaker Lauri Hussar. “We firmly supported Ukraine in its fight against Russia, which is waging an aggressive war, and we will continue to support Ukraine until its Victory,” Hussar said.
In October, the UWC presented awards for exceptional contributions to the development of Ukrainian life in the diaspora and Ukraine. 44 representatives of international organizations received the St. Volodymyr the Great Medal in four categories.
You can view the list of all award recipients at the following link.
