Unrecognizable from the horror that faced with

Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir, President of Parliament, visited Birja in Ukraine today, along with other European Presidents. Exactly three years have passed since the Russians retired from the village and Ukraine’s controversy began, but the horror that took place there is one of the blacks in the history of the Ukrainian War.

The Russians took its bullshit early in the invasion, February 27, 2022, but were expelled on March 31 of the same year and the day is at least as the day that the Ukrainians finally hit Russia’s invasion of Russia and the Ukrainians’ controversy began.

But horrific events that occurred this month have overshadowed this success, as it was quickly revealed that those residents who did not escape the town in time when the Russians invaded had lived with pure hell.

A horrific approach was made when the Ukrainians returned to Botja; The bodies lay scattered across the ruins in the village, some tied in hands and feet, and mass graves with hundreds of people were excavated.

The Russians had killed 450 people, according to the Ukrainians. In addition, dozens of girls and women reported that Russian soldiers had raped themselves in the village.

Unrecognizable from the horror that faced with

And even though Thorunn walked around town today, she surprised her how few traces were left behind about the horror that took place in this town. She says the village is mostly rebuilt and people have moved back to town.

« This is a regular town a 20 -minute drive away from the capital, » says Þórunn in a conversation with mbl.is, but she and 16 other presidents of Europe are now visiting Biss.

From the monument in Butsja today.

AFP

She says that some of their siblings during the visit had said that the town was almost unrecognizable from what was almost three years ago.

But at a church in town stands a great memorial with the names of those who were killed by this black March 2022. Russia had dug mass graves next to the church.

A memorial service was held at the church today.

« It was a sad moment, but important, » says Thorunn about the ceremony, adding that locals have also participated in the ceremony. Thorunn is now on his way home to Iceland after the meeting.

Volodimir Selelenski Ukrainian President and Olena Seleleka President with the Monument today.

AFP

Thank Iceland in particular

Þórunn met Rúslan Stefansk, President of the Ukraine Assembly, and the parliamentary presidents met with eighteen meetings with Volodimir Selenski Ukraine President.

According to Þórunn, the red thread in the conversations of the presidents – on the one hand at a leadership conference and on the other at a meeting with Selenski later in the day – to ensure peace, but not on the grounds of the Russian government.

The Ukrainian government has thanked for all the help they have been provided. Selenski and Stefansjúk have both thanked Iceland especially for their support.

The Russian Stefantjuk, President of the Ukraine Assembly, welcomes Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir, President of Parliament.

Photo/Submitted

« He thanked for what we have done here, both the loss registration (which was approved at a summit in Harpa 2023) and humanitarian aid and more, » he says.

« It is clear that these people know very well where the assistance comes from and who stands with them. »

Putin and Trump shaded on

But last month’s diplomatic scenario put his shadow on the visit, one of the most important arguments with Selenskis with Donald Trump US President and JD Vance in the White House in early March.

« Here, people are very aware that these are dangerous times, because the US government says it wants to negotiate peace with Russia-first Ukraine should not be allowed to be in that conversation but that has changed, » she says, but Saudi Arabians are holding on to those talks.

« But it is all the way out of every person I have spoken to that politicians here take little notice of what Putin (Russian President) says publicly, or take little notice that he really wants to negotiate peace. But the project is to force him for peace agreements, » she says.

Ukrainians not bowed after conversations with Trump

Last month’s events regarding US President Donald Trump must also have colored the atmosphere, right? Do people not quite as difficult to rely on what Trump says?

« To some extent it can be, » she replies, and continues:

« But I felt both the President of Parliament and Selelenski speak with consideration and common sense about that position. They said: Ukraine needs to hold the United States, just like its allies in Europe, to reach the Russian government and to end this war on the grounds that Ukra.

She says Ukraine’s rulers are realistic.

« Maybe people would have thought they were bowed after conversations and meetings with the US president, but that is not at all. »

Selensky 183,000 war crimes forwarded

In a post on X, Selenski wrote today that in his speech to the memorial service he had said that « we all want this war to end as soon as possible ». He also stated that up to 183,000 war crimes related to Russia have been registered.

« And it is without access to a significant part of the occupied area, » he adds.

He further stated that Bosja was not « somewhere in Ukraine » but « what could happen in any European country » if failed to have Russia should take responsibility for his actions.

« Thanks for your support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian nation. »

Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir, President of the Althingi, at a summit today.

AFP