Today we have once again seen who our friends are and how much they support us
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk met with the President of the European Council Charles Michel, who is on a visit to Kyiv today.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament thanked the European Union and the European Council for demonstrating leadership to the world in supporting Ukraine in all areas important for our victory over the aggressor and future membership in the family of European countries.
“There are a lot of EU flags and banners within the walls of the Parliament, and this is a great honour, but also a great responsibility for each of us. That is why both Ukraine and the Ukrainian Parliament are doing everything to go from candidacy to full membership in the EU with honour,” emphasized Ruslan Stefanchuk.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the tasks already accomplished by Ukraine on its European integration path and further steps in this direction. In particular, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized to his European colleagues that since receiving the candidate status, the Ukrainian Parliament has fulfilled all the requirements of the seven recommendations of the European Commission.
“We have prepared a report and sent it to every member of the European Parliament and EU countries. We are also looking forward to a positive assessment of our implementation of the recommendations. These results may be the beginning of negotiations on Ukraine’s full membership,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk.
In particular, he noted that he has high expectations for the EU-Ukraine Summit to be held in early February in Kyiv, which should be a powerful signal of support from European countries for Ukraine on its path to EU membership.
In addition, the participants discussed cooperation between the institutions on Ukraine’s further European integration prospects; strengthening sanctions pressure on russia; confiscation of its assets and reparations in favour of Ukraine; bringing the terrorist country to justice for all crimes committed during the brutal war against Ukraine. Ruslan Stefanchuk also thanked his European counterpart for his powerful promotion of Ukraine’s defence capabilities, emphasizing that “sanctions, weapons and support for Ukraine are all we need for our common victory.”
At the end of the meeting, the Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament once again thanked Charles Michel for his powerful speech in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which was another confirmation of the strong and sustainable friendship between Ukraine and the EU.“Today, Ukraine has once again seen who our friends are and how much they support us. I hope that your next visit will take place in honour of our common victory,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized.
For his part, the President of the European Council Charles Michel assured his Ukrainian counterpart of strong and unbreakable friendship and support until victory in this unprovoked war.
“The decision of russia to attack Ukraine was tragic not only for Ukraine, but also for our common future, our European security,” Charles Michel said, adding that Ukraine is now standing not only for its territory, but also for the values which Europe and its future are based on.
He also noted that Europe shares Ukraine’s desire to end this terrible war as soon as possible and values the price Ukraine pays for its desire to join the European Union.
“We will never forget this!” the President of the European Council emphasized during the meeting.