“I want the sacrifice of thousands of Ukrainians to have meaning. I want the world to finally stop evil once and for all.”

Combat medic Oleksandra Lysytska, callsign “Alaska,” a sister of the VETERANKA movement, spoke at the European Parliament following the premiere of the documentary Cuba & Alaska. She urged the international community to continue supporting Ukraine’s army, people affected by the war, and volunteers.

Ukraine is fighting not only for its independence and freedom, but also for everyone in the world who does not want to live in fear of a possible Russian invasion.

“Maybe I won’t live to see the end of this war, but I want the sacrifice of thousands of Ukrainians to have meaning. I want the world to finally do what history demands: stop evil once and for all.”

From 10 to 13 November 2025, Oleksandra Lysytska “Alaska” and Yuliia Sydorova “Cuba,” at the invitation of the European Parliament and the NGO Women Veterans Movement in Belgium, presented the documentary Cuba & Alaska in Brussels and took part in a panel discussion at the European Parliament as part of the event Women at the Frontlines: Voices of Resilience from Ukraine.

During the panel, she delivered a speech highlighting these key messages:

• the war is happening right now, even as the discussion is taking place in the European Parliament;
  
• Russia is a global threat, and Ukraine is effectively holding back an enemy that seeks to destroy not only our state, but the very idea of freedom;
  
• every day in Ukraine civilians and service members are killed, cities and communities are destroyed, and the loss of the best among us is an unbearable pain for every unit;
  
• Europe has no right to grow tired of the war, because indifference costs lives;
  
• international support for Ukraine is not charity—it is a strategic task for the civilized world;
  
• every political decision, every donation, and every word of support saves real lives.
  

Her speech was met with applause. Members of the European Parliament and diplomatic representatives emphasized how important first-hand testimony from women who have been directly involved in combat is for shaping political decisions, including those related to military assistance.