On 8 May 1945, the guns fell silent in Europe. After more than five years of war and the barbaric occupation of much of Europe by Nazi Germany, Europe seized the opportunity and, with the support of the United States, built institutions that have served—and continue to serve—its security and prosperity.

Unfortunately, Victory in Europe Day did not bring freedom to all of Europe. For Central and Eastern Europe, it marked the beginning of another occupation. But Europe once again rose to the challenge and defeated communist totalitarianism, leading to the reunification of the continent.

For the ECR Group, today is a day for solemn reflection, not least the fact that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has brought bloodshed back to Europe. This war challenges us once again to champion justice for victims and accountability for those responsible for this outrage - just as happened in the wake of World War II.

ECR Group Co-Chair Patryk Jaki spoke movingly in Parliament today about the devastation and lasting pain in Poland caused by the most catastrophic human conflict in history.

Addressing MEPs, Mr Jaki said:

“On the eightieth anniversary of World War II you are talking about responsibility, courage, justice. But those are only words. We are still waiting for action.

“Poland, the country where the war was started, was divided between Germany and Russia by the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

“From the first to the last day of the war, Poland was on the right side. It had no institutional collaborators and lost almost 30 per cent of its own pre-war resources - the most in Europe - and six million citizens.

“One third of our territory was taken and given to Russia. Poland has not received any reparations, no real compensation.

“The new generation of Poles should not pay for the fact that their grandparents stayed on the right side and did not collaborate with evil.”