The LUkraine association organised a series of events to push for ongoing support with Ukraine, including a press conference and short film screening on 24 February.

“Ukraine will win,” said Natalia Anoshyna, chargée d’affaires at the Ukrainian embassy for Belgium and Luxembourg during a speech. “We stand, we fight, and we will win, because we are united.”

The ambassadors of the US, Japan, Germany, France, Czech Republic, the UK and other countries had come together for the event and previously taken a photo in solidarity with Ukraine.

“This war is not only against Ukraine but also against Europe as a region,” said Anne Calteux during a speech. The representative of the European Commission in Luxembourg said “no one would have thought that we would still be in a situation of war today” but that “we have to continue to stand behind Ukraine, whatever it takes, in the months to come.”

A Eurobarometer survey published on Thursday showed that 91% of European approve of humanitarian aid deliveries to Ukraine, with 88% in favour of welcoming refugees in the EU. More than three quarters (77%) supported financial aid with 74% in supporting sanctions against Russia. The funding of weapons for Ukraine was slightly less popular at 65%.

The country-specific results for Luxembourg have not yet been released.

“Ukraine shares our values and fundamental convictions,” said Calteux, adding that “this is about democracy. What’s at stake is enormous and we all have to be conscious about that. It concerns all of us.”

Member countries are currently in the process of negotiating a tenth sanctions package against Russia, which Calteux said should help “cripple” the Russian economy. “The history of the European Union is being written in Ukraine,” she said, adding that there must be a long-term perspective of support and aid.

Small country, big heart

Nicolas Zharov, the president of the LUkraine association, thanked Luxembourg for its support of Ukraine. “We have truly created a unique bond of friendship and understanding,” he said of the assembled delegates. “Luxembourg is a true example of a small country with a big heart.”

The association screened the film Erase a Nation by Polish filmmaker Tomasz Grzywaczewski, which shows the destruction of Ukrainian monuments and cultural heritage in cities across the country by Russian forces.

Russia, Zahrov said, aims for the elimination of Ukrainian identity, committing genocide, war crime, rape and the mass deportation of civilians.

LUkraine so far has delivered from than 1,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, distributed 14,500 food packages, sent 26 ambulances and six fire trucks to the country but also organised more than 1,100 psychological support sessions for refugees in Luxembourg, hosting extra-curricular activities for Ukrainian children and creating a library of more than 1,700 books.

More than 1,000 volunteers are involved in the association’s efforts.

“We have done a lot but there is a lot to be done in future, too,” said Zharov. “Stay with us.”

Ukraine, he said, “is paying the highest price for a free, united Europe”, calling on the country’s allies to keep supplies arms and aid, designate Russia a terrorist state, consider the war genocide and to investigate Russia for war crimes.

“Stay united, stay strong and stand with Ukraine,” Zharov said.

“Guns will be silent one day”

Luxembourg’s government on Friday issued a statement in support of Ukraine.

“In these tragic hours, we reiterate our unwavering support for Ukraine and its people who are fighting bravely to preserve their independence and territorial integrity. By opposing Russian aggression, Ukraine is also defending security in Europe,” the statement said.

Luxembourg has provided military aid worth around €90m to Ukraine and said it would continue doing so in future.

“This war of aggression unleashed by Russia, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, challenges the foundations of global peace, security and prosperity. Its political, security, economic and humanitarian consequences directly affect Ukraine, but also, indirectly, other countries and regions of the world,” the government said.

“In the dark hours when weapons alone speak, peace can seem distant and chimerical. But the guns will be silent one day. We remain committed to supporting the path to rebuilding a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous world, based on respect for international law and multilateralism.”