**Belgium’s Leaders Visit Bucha, Show Solidarity with Ukraine**
On April 8, Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever and his delegation arrived in Kyiv, meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky. The visit marked a significant moment of solidarity between Belgium and Ukraine.
As part of their trip, the delegation visited Bucha, a suburb northwest of Kyiv that became infamous for Russian war crimes after mass graves were uncovered in April 2022. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office has documented over 1,400 civilian killings in the Bucha District, including 637 in Bucha itself. Many victims, including 37 children, were executed and left on the streets or buried in mass graves.
**A Symbolic Gesture with a Strong Message**
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot took to social media to emphasize that their visit was “more than a symbolic gesture.” He vowed that Belgium stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine, affirming that justice must prevail. The statement sent a strong message of support for the Ukrainian people and their fight against Russian aggression.
**Russia’s Denials Won’t Erase the Truth**
The Kremlin has long denied the extensively documented crimes committed by Russian forces in Bucha and other parts of Ukraine. However, Prevot was clear that “no lie can erase the truth written in blood.” He pointed out that satellite images, forensic experts, survivors’ testimonies, and reports from international organizations like the UN, ICC, and NGOs have all confirmed the brutal reality of what happened in March 2022.
**A Pattern of War Crimes**
Prevot highlighted that Bucha is not an isolated case. He mentioned other areas such as Mariupol, Izium, Kramatorsk, and Kherson, where similar war crimes were committed by Russian forces. The minister emphasized that these atrocities are systematic, calculated, and deliberate, rather than tragic mistakes of war.
**Ukraine’s Fight for Justice Continues**
The visit by the Belgian delegation came on the heels of Ukraine marking the third anniversary of the Bucha tragedy on March 31. European parliamentary leaders also visited the suburb on this occasion. The solidarity shown by Belgium and other international partners is crucial as Ukraine continues to fight for justice and accountability.
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