Skopje, 22 February 2023 (MIA) - We express our respect and support to the people of Ukraine for their courage, perseverance and resolve in defending their own territory, Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska told a press conference after a meeting with Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov in Kiev on Wednesday.

"This act of brutal aggression and terror on civilian population, children, women, elderly, is unimaginable for any civilization in the 21st century. That is why, the Government of North Macedonia condemned the unjustified and unprovoked Russian aggression in Ukraine since day one. We unequivocally stood on the side of justice and human dignity, on the side of truth," said Minister Petrovska,

She told the Ukrainian leadership and people that North Macedonia strongly condemned the Russian aggression and gave its full support to the country's sovereignty and right to self-defend.

"We were clear and vocal since the very start of the aggression almost a year ago by saying 'no' to bloodshed, 'no' to destruction in the 21st century. Peace must return now," noted Petrovska.

She also referred to the humanitarian and military aid that North Macedonia has been providing to Ukraine, "because we firmly believe in the right of self-defense of every country, while respecting the rules and principles that the international community is founded on."

Minister Reznikov expressed his gratitude for North Macedonia's support and said the people of Ukraine would never forget that. Calling Petrovska "a courageous minister coming to a courageous country as a sign of friendship", he reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to bring back peace.

Petrovska also laid a wreath at the memorial of the fallen and paid a visit to the town of Irpin, the place where the Ukrainian forces stopped the progress of Russian forces towards Kiev, to bear witness of the ruins resulting from the illegal and unprovoked Russian aggression on independent Ukraine.

Photo: Ministry of Defense