The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament welcomed last week’s decision by the European Parliament Conference of Presidents to award the Sakharov Prize for the Freedom of Thought 2022 to ‘The brave People of Ukraine, represented by their President, elected leaders and civil society’.

Earlier this month, Renew Europe, together with EPP and S&D Groups, agreed to merge their 2022 Sakharov Prize candidatures and send a strong political message of support to the Ukrainian people. They are not only defending their freedom and independence, but they are defending European values and our continent against a brutal regime that seeks to undermine democracy, weaken and divide the European Union.

Renew Europe President Stéphane Séjourné MEP, said:

“Who else but the Ukrainian people has given so much to democratic values in our time? This award is an obvious recognition of the exceptional sacrifices of civil society and the courage of the Ukrainian political class. The Renew Europe Group is proud to have supported this nomination.”

🚨Breaking! The brave People of #Ukraine, represented by their President, elected leaders, & civil society’ win the #SakharovPrize 2022
@steph_sejourne: "This award is an obvious recognition of the exceptional sacrifices of civil society & the courage of the 🇺🇦 political class" pic.twitter.com/pIy0Z6499T

— Renew Europe (@RenewEurope) October 19, 2022