Paun Rohovei at the National Congress of Memory: “Indifference to our past suffering risks repeating history”
The current situation in Ukraine illustrates that totalitarian regimes do not vanish on their own. If they are not confronted, they perpetuate the same atrocities as in the past. The Ukrainian ambassador to Chisinau, Paun Rohovei, cautioned during the first National Congress of Memory, held today in Chisinau, that indifference to the crimes and suffering of our people creates conditions for history to repeat itself.
On February 24, 2022, the Putin regime launched an unprovoked and unjustified large-scale war against Ukraine. What do we observe in this war? The Kremlin is effectively repeating the same crimes of previous decades in our modern context, utilizing methods reminiscent of the Soviet era, including the occupation of territories and the deportation of local populations. Russia is employing a policy of forced displacement, uprooting people from remote regions of Ukraine. At least 2.8 million Ukrainians have been deported to Russia. It is hard to believe that such barbaric actions would resurface in the 21st century, yet here we are witnessing their repetition," said Paun Rohovei.
In the face of the threat posed by the Kremlin regime, solidarity and resistance are essential. The European integration of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova is the only guarantee for peace, prosperity, and dignity in the region, the ambassador emphasized.
"It is crucial to discuss these issues and to share information with those who do not have access to it or may choose to remain uninformed. If we remain indifferent to the suffering our peoples have endured, history may repeat itself. Contemporary history shows us that totalitarian regimes do not cease their actions; they can only be opposed. Therefore, it is vital that we fortify ourselves and resist, while also envisioning a prosperous future within the larger European community. For Ukraine, the integration of the Republic of Moldova into the European Union aligns with our national interests, and I firmly believe that both countries will achieve this goal," emphasized Rohovei.
We note that the first National Congress of Memory opened today in Chisinau. This event is organized by the Association of Former Deportees and Political Prisoners of Moldova, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education and Research.
We remind you that on June 28, it will be 85 years since one of the most significant and tragic decisions in modern Romanian history: the cession of Bassarabia and northern Bukovina to the Soviet Union following the ultimatum of June 26, 1940.
