Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania will continue to go side by side to the final victory of Ukraine
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk delivered a speech at the opening of the XII session of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and Seimas and Senate of the Republic of Poland
Honourable Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Mrs. Victoria Cmilite-Nielsen! Dear Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Tomasz Grodzki! Honorauble members of the Seimas of Lithuania, Seimas and Senate of Poland, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine!
Dear ladies and gentlemen!
On behalf of the Ukrainian delegation, I am grateful to the Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Mrs. Victoria Cmilite-Nielsen for the invitation to visit Vilnius to participate in the XII Interparliamentary Assembly of our legislative bodies.
Today the parliamentary delegations of three countries – Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland – are here. You are among those who best understand the realities which Ukraine is in, our region, Europe and the entire democratic world found themselves because of unprovoked russian aggression. I am very pleased to be today among friends who you do not need to explain anything but can simply plan further actions for the sake of common interests and common historical victory. You have always believed in Ukraine and Ukrainians and were confident that we would withstand this blow and win.
I want to assure you that we will not only win, but we will also rebuild Ukraine as a full-fledged European state. This imperative has become the leading one for the entire Ukrainian people.
Today in the hall there are deputies who have a mandate from the voters to act in their interests and to ensure their rights. Among these fundamental rights there is the right to freedom. This right has been historically defended by Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Poles. We were happy for your successes, and you were happy for us. Today, Ukrainians are once again shedding their blood and giving their lives defending their native land for the sake of freedom and good of future generations. We fight not only for our freedom, but also for the freedom of European nations, because we know its price like no other.
We must admit that the world has seen some processes through «rose-coloured glasses» for too long, and therefore it was too late to respond to the threats posed by russia. However, now everyone understands what the «kremlin regime» is and what we can expect from the russian federation in the future. Now it is time for us to actively offer adequate solutions and concrete steps. Let us inspire other European nations to fight for democratic values and common ideals by our example and the results of our joint work.
In this process, your countries have become our reliable partners. Your countries provide significant and relevant assistance – military-technical, financial, humanitarian. Your countries have also hospitably sheltered those who were fleeing the horrors of war. Your parliaments take quick and balanced decisions when it comes to expressing a position on russian aggression in Ukraine or when it comes to helping us.
By your example, you have convinced and guided others on a number of issues, including providing Ukraine with modern weapons, strengthening sanctions, recognizing russia’s actions as terrorist, establishing a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression, rebuilding Ukraine, and strongly supporting our country’s right to be a member of the EU and NATO.
Such joint actions contribute to the restoration of global faith in justice, demonstrate that there is no alternative to democratic development of the world and the futility of any manifestations of authoritarianism or dictatorship.
Today, this and other issues will be discussed at the meeting of the Interparliamentary Assembly. I am confident in the effectiveness of the joint work of our committees. I am confident that concrete plans for further coordination of actions will be elaborated. I am convinced that the final document will be an important signal to other countries, to all those who stand on the side of good, that Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania will continue to go side by side to the final victory of Ukraine.
And right now we need powerful modern air and missile defences to prevent further destruction of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure by russia. We need assistance in restoring the energy system, we need enhanced macro-financial assistance.
I have already mentioned how important it is for further development to restore faith in justice on a global scale. This will be possible not only if we win, but also if all those responsible for the crimes of aggression are duly brought to justice. Those who deliberately help or assist russia in further committing illegal acts must also be punished.
We must work together to restore confidence in the universality of international law and established norms and rules of conduct in the world arena. An important element of this process should be the complete liberation of the entire territory of Ukraine, including Crimea, from russian invaders.
Paying a heavy price, we still seized the initiative on the front. We were not broken by regular terrorist shelling of peaceful cities of Ukraine by russia. Despite the superhuman trials for our people, we keep a human face. By defending itself, Ukraine has found an opportunity to help others. We are sending grain to those who may face hunger tomorrow. We are strengthening our role as one of the global guarantors of food security in the world. Having survived the Holodomor 90 years ago, the Ukrainian people will never again allow anyone to use food as a weapon. I am grateful to everyone who supported the initiative of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi «Grain from Ukraine».
And in conclusion. Each country has the sovereign right to choose the alliances it joins and determine its own security measures. We have openly declared our intentions to join the EU and NATO as soon as possible and we are doing everything necessary for this. Today I would like to thank all of you and your governments for supporting Ukraine on this course. I also hope that you will continue to promote the issue of Ukraine’s full membership in all NATO capitals as a top priority. As for our EU membership, let us take this opportunity to talk together with the leaders in Stockholm and try to convince the Commission to start accession negotiations with Ukraine during the Swedish EU Presidency.
Ukraine will definitely win, and Europe will be a space of peace again. Today, thanks to joint efforts, our continent is becoming stronger and more resilient. Together we are invincible.
I wish fruitful work to the Interparliamentary Assembly.
Glory to Ukraine!