Alun Davies MS on supporting war effort in Ukraine
By the time I arrived back in Tredegar, the aid had already been delivered to people on the frontlines of the war. On coming home to Wales, I found myself reflecting that at a time when it is all too easy to turn inwards and when fear of difference is taking hold in too many communities, perhaps now is exactly the moment to reaffirm Wales's proud history of reaching out to the wider world.
In many ways, Wales is a nation that is built by immigration and defined by emigration. Welsh emigrants helped build the steel industries of Pennsylvania and Virginia, founding towns with names like Bryn Mawr and Tredegar across the Atlantic.
Likewise, Ukraine's steel industry was founded a century and a half ago by Welsh entrepreneurs from Merthyr. Ukrainian miners stood in solidarity with Welsh miners during the strike of 40 years ago. Today, we are simply continuing this shared legacy. Our support for the people of Ukraine is entirely in step with our history, our culture and our legacy.
So, as we travel over the coming weeks - whether near or far - let us remember our friends in Kyiv and across Ukraine who are fighting for our values and freedoms: European values, European freedoms, and European democracy against Russian oppression.
In this struggle we must join friends across the world and follow in the footsteps taken by generations of Welsh people before us.
If you would like to support our future aid journeys to Ukraine, you can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-ukraine-needed-now-more-than-ever every contribution helps us deliver vital supplies directly to those who need them most.
Alun Davies is Senedd member for Blaenau Gwent.
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