The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic.
Ruslan Stefanchuk welcomed another visit of a true friend of the Ukrainian people, which once again proves that Croatia has been, is and will be a great and reliable partner of Ukraine. He thanked for the constant and powerful assistance that Croatia has been providing to our country throughout the entire period of its struggle against the invader.
“The military assistance you have always been the first to provide to Ukraine is very important to us. I would especially like to thank you for the recent decision of your Government to transfer 14 Mi-8 helicopters to Ukraine to strengthen the defence capabilities of our country,” Ruslan Stefanchuk said.
He also emphasised the humanitarian aspect of the assistance. According to the Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament, Croatia is among the leaders in protecting Ukrainians fleeing the war.
“I would like to once again convey my gratitude to all Croats who know exactly what war is and what it means to share the good. This is a great gesture of humanity that your people are giving to ours,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk.
The parties also discussed Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic progress, which Croatia has always supported and was among the biggest supporters of our membership in the institutions. In particular, the Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament stressed that it is important for Ukraine to start negotiations on EU membership this year. He also called on Croatia to support our Euro-Atlantic perspective, particularly at the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius.
The parties also discussed the issue of justice in this war. The Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine called on Croatia to join the initiative to establish an international special tribunal for russia’s crimes against Ukraine and to develop a compensation mechanism for reparations to Ukraine for the losses incurred as a result of the unprovoked war.
The meeting also touched upon the implementation of the peace formula presented to the world by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi. According to Ruslan Stefanchuk, this initiative is a direct path to peace on the European continent, so Ukraine calls on all civilised countries to join its implementation and take patronage of the selected points.
At the same time, the Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament called on Croatia to recognise the Holodomor of 1932-33 as genocide of the Ukrainian people, stressing that the decision of the Croatian Sabor would become a symbol of solidarity with Ukrainians.
In addition, Ruslan Stefanchuk thanked the Head of the Croatian Government for the brilliantly held last year’s Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimean Platform in Zagreb and invited representatives of the Sabor to participate in the Second Summit, which will be held this year in Prague.
“I am convinced that together we will share the success of our common victory. We will do everything to ensure that Ukraine becomes a success story for the entire civilised world, rebuilding from the ruins left by russia,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine said at the end of the meeting.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, also expressed his best words of support and friendship with Ukraine, which have become the main ones in the recent relations between the two countries.
He assured his Ukrainian counterpart that Croatia would continue to make every effort to help Ukraine in those areas where it is most possible.
“We have been and remain with you. Throughout the year, we have provided political, humanitarian and military support. Our unity remains unchanged,” Andrej Plenkovic said.
In particular, he noted that Croatia will continue to provide military assistance, and there is full support from all pro-government forces, both the Parliament and the Government.
The Prime Minister also focused on the issue of russia’s responsibility under international legal laws. According to him, “in the modern world, crimes against humanity, especially against children, have no right to exist” and the pro-government putin regime “must be held accountable for what has been done in Ukraine”.
“In my opinion, the punishment and prosecution should be severe. After all, such things are difficult for a civilised society to understand and accept. Therefore, there must be full accountability,” Andrej Plenkovic emphasised.