Title: Ukrainian Refugees in Sweden Oppose Russian Ambassador’s Invitation to Nobel Party
Updated: 14:34 | Published: 13:52
Three Ukrainian refugees in Sweden have expressed their strong opposition to the presence of the Russian ambassador at the upcoming Nobel party. Nataliia, Anna, and Olena believe that the Russian ambassador should not be allowed to attend the prestigious event, citing Russia’s status as a “terrorist country” and its aggression towards Ukraine.
Nataliia Pichakhchi, who currently resides in Bromma as a refugee, passionately stated, “It is not right, he represents a terrorist country.” Nataliia’s son, Nichola, participated in the defense of Ukrainian Mariupol in 2021 and has been missing since April 2022. Although the Ukrainian authorities officially declared him dead, Nataliia revealed that her son was awarded a medal of the third degree. She expressed her anger towards Russia and hoped that Putin would face eternal punishment.
Anna Mazur, another Ukrainian refugee living in Norrköping, voiced her opposition to the Russian ambassador’s participation, emphasizing that he represents an aggressor country. Anna’s husband, Volodymyr, is currently fighting against the Russians in Ukraine. She asserted, “The Russians have shown the whole world that they do not respect human rights. They must be isolated, both from sports competitions and cultural events.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Olena, who resides in Stockholm with her ten-year-old son, condemned the Russian ambassador’s presence at the Nobel celebration. Olena fervently called for the international community to restrict the entry of Russians into their territories, in order to convey a unified message against war and conflict. Unfortunately, Olena’s husband has been taken as a prisoner of war by the Russians, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also criticized the Nobel Foundation’s decision to invite the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus to the award ceremony. They pointed out that last year, the ambassadors were not invited as a response to Russian aggression against Ukraine. They urged the Nobel Committee to support efforts aimed at isolating Russia and Belarus until the unprovoked war comes to an end and the Russian leadership is held accountable for their crimes.
The opposition expressed by Ukrainian refugees in Sweden highlights the deep pain and frustration caused by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As the Nobel party approaches, their voices serve as a reminder of the urgent need for justice, peace, and stability in the region.
Note: All quotes in this article are based on statements made by the individuals mentioned and were translated from Swedish to English.