Ambassador Llewellyn: 'Ukrainians fight for our freedom'
British Ambassador to Italy, Edward Llewellyn, publishes an article in Italian lead broadsheet Corriere della Sera, to mark the one year anniversary since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
I arrived in Rome as the new British Ambassador on 25 February 2022, the day after Russia invaded Ukraine.
As my plane landed that morning, my mind was on the missiles landing in Kyiv, on the Russian armour lumbering towards the capital, on the Ukrainians sheltering in basements - on the fact that here in Europe a brutal aggressor was invading a free, peaceful, democratic nation.
It was immediately clear that we needed to work with our allies, including Italy, to help Ukraine resist and defeat this invasion. But in those early hours, it was far from clear what the coming days would bring.
My first action as the new Ambassador was to go and see my Ukrainian counterpart. We lit up our Embassy in Ukraine’s colours - and raised Ukraine’s flag alongside ours, where it flies proudly today.
In the following weeks, three things rapidly became clear - none of which Putin expected.
First, the heroism and utter determination of Ukrainians to resist the invader.
To any British citizen, the images of Ukrainians sheltering from air attack in the metro recalled those of our grandparents’ generation taking shelter in London Underground stations during the Blitz in 1940. Far from breaking Ukrainian morale, the Russians made it unbreakable.
Second, the skill and courage of the Ukrainian armed forces and the leadership of Volodomyr Zelenskyy - Ukraine’s Churchill.
Third, the unity and determination of Ukraine’s friends to ensure Ukraine wins this war.
Italy has played a crucial role from the first day. In implementing sanctions against Russia, in supporting Ukrainian refugees, in supplying arms to help Ukraine defend itself, in reducing its own dependence on Russian gas.
In NATO, in the G7, in the EU, Italy has been and remains a champion for Ukraine’s freedom. I pay tribute to the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Meloni and of Prime Minister Draghi before her.
I have seen that support across Italy. The Ukrainian flag flying from balconies. The humanitarian trucks being loaded at the Ukrainian churches. The welcome given to the Mayors of Melitopol and Bucha, cities which have suffered so much at Russia’s hands, in Florence last year.
A year on, Russia inflicts more pain and suffering every day. The only way to change that is for Ukraine to win this war.
To do so, Ukraine needs more artillery, armoured vehicles and air defence. Now is the moment, as Prime Minister Sunak has said, to double down on our military support.
Winning the peace must include holding Russia to account at the International Criminal Court, rebuilding Ukraine and forging a new framework for Ukraine’s security.
Britain and Italy are working together to ensure that Ukraine prevails - including through the first ever joint meeting of our Foreign and Defence Ministers in Rome two weeks ago. And that is what we will do in the months ahead.
One year on, Britain is proud to be standing alongside Italy and our NATO, G7 and EU allies.
United.
Certain of the rightness of Ukraine’s cause.
Deeply aware that in fighting for their freedom, Ukrainians are fighting for our freedom too.
Slava Ukraini.
The article in Corriere della Sera (in Italian).