Odesa is such a beautiful city, with cultural and historical roots, it should be on the front pages of the newspapers for its cultural activities, vibrant multiethnic society, its beauty, its history. And instead of that, it is on front pages of the newspapers for this – for the barbaric attacks of Russia, its aggression, against the city - destroying the harbour, infrastructure and old churches.

I've been witnessing the consequences of this war, how Ukraine and Odesa are paying high price for it. This is a good example of how Russia is trying to destroy Ukraine.

And today's anniversary is a moment to remember that some parts of Ukrainian territory, the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson were illegally annexed to Russia, as Crimea was also illegally annexed before. And we at European Union we will support Ukraine in its fight to restore its territorial integrity.

My presence here in Odesa is to show how we are supporting Ukraine, from our military support, our economic support, through political and diplomatic activity, to look for the peace, but a just peace that preserves the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine and I want to pay homage to all men and women of Ukraine who are fighting for it.

Watch the video here: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-247033