Ukraine Delegates Storm Out Over Speech by Alexei Navalny's Daughter
Ukrainian delegates stormed out of the European Youth Event in protest following a speech delivered by Dasha Navalnaya, daughter of the late Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
They condemned the inclusion of Russian speakers while Ukrainian voices were absent at the June 13-14 event held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, which was attended by European youth representatives, Ukrainian TV channel 24 Kanal reported.
The walkout centered on Navalnaya's appearance as a key speaker, which Ukrainian delegates called "insulting" given Russia's ongoing military actions in Ukraine. Delegates said they intend to bring their concerns to the European Parliament.
The objection to Navalnaya's speech came despite the fact that her late father was Russian President Vladimir Putin's most outspoken critic.
Newsweek has contacted the European Youth Forum for comment by email.
The walkout highlights continuing tensions surrounding the participation of Russian citizens in European public events amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. It also highlights the sensitivities involved in international forums.
Navalny died in an Arctic prison in 2024 where he was being held on charges that had been widely viewed as politically motivated. Numerous officials, including Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, have accused the Kremlin of murdering Navalny.
Navalnaya, 23, a Stanford University graduate, is also a fierce Putin critic. Her mother, Yulia Navalnaya, has also pledged to continue Navalny's work.
The Ukrainian delegation, including representatives from the city of Lviv, left the event after learning that Navalnaya would serve as one of the main speakers.
A lawyer from Russia, Vyacheslav Samonov, also spoke at the event.
In a statement, the Ukrainian delegates expressed their outrage that Russian speakers were featured while Ukraine was not granted comparable participation, despite Lviv holding the title of European Youth Capital this year.
Ukrainian participants criticized the lack of transparency and the absence of any explanation or rationale from forum organizers regarding the choice of guests.
The European Youth Event, the Youth Outreach Unit of the European Parliament, said on X (formerly Twitter) it was "honoured" to welcome Navalnaya "for a conversation on freedom of expression and democratic values. Her words echo in a room full of young Europeans shaping the future of [the EU]."
"My father gave his life for his convictions. For the chance to speak truthfully and honestly to his fellow citizens he payed the ultimate price," Navalnaya was cited as saying at the event.
Members of the Ukrainian delegation Solomiya Koval, Taya Mamchak and Daryna Pidlubna said in a statement: "We learned about [Navalnaya's] speech only once in the hall. There was no advance warning. She spoke about human rights, freedom of speech and language, while Russia destroys those very rights in Ukraine every day.
"We come from a country that is under attack every day. Our peers are dying on the front. And to see the Russians playing a key role in the European Parliament is insulting to us and our struggle."
"The European Parliament has enough experts not to invite representatives of an aggressor state. Especially without explanation and warning. That is why we left the hall. We will not remain silent."
Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said: "I do not know what Ukrainians have done to deserve this, where in one part of Europe our youth must defend their country and die for their homeland, while in another they are expected to participate equally with Russians and listen to a keynote speech from a Russian. We will send an official letter to the head of the European Parliament. Ukrainian youth must be heard."
The Ukrainian delegation is preparing to send a formal letter to the President of the European Parliament.
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