Our Polish colleagues and friends were among the first to raise the issue of abduction of Ukrainian children by russia at the highest parliamentary level
The Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk met with members of the Senate of the Republic of Poland – the Vice-Marshal Michal Kaminski and Senator Kazimierz Michal Ujazdowski.
This is the second meeting with the Vice-Marshal in recent times. The previous one took place in Warsaw on the eve of the Polish Senate’s vote on a resolution condemning russia’s mass abduction of Ukrainian children.
On behalf of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and on her own behalf, the Vice Speaker Olena Kondratiuk expressed gratitude to the leadership and all senators of the upper house of the Polish Parliament for the adoption of this resolution.
“Our Polish colleagues and friends were among the first in the world to raise this issue at the highest parliamentary level,” said Olena Kondratiuk. The parties also discussed the need to join international efforts to prevent further illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to russia.
“We have to locate and return home all illegally deported Ukrainian children separated from their families and guardians,” said the Deputy Chairperson of the Ukrainian Parliament.
Michal Kaminski, for his part, expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
“Polish politicians and Polish society support Ukraine, considering this war to be their war as well,” the Vice-Marshal of the Sejm stressed.
The parties also touched upon the issue of Ukraine’s European integration. Michal Kaminski noted that Poland should become the main advocate of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. In his opinion, Ukraine should take its rightful place among the EU countries.
At the same time, Olena Kondratiuk noted that it is important for Ukraine to start negotiations on joining the EU as soon as possible.
“We expect to start such negotiations in the nearest future. We also expect a positive assessment by the European Commission of our country’s implementation of the seven key candidate recommendations,” said the Vice-Speaker, adding that she and Mr. Michal Kaminski are of the same mind that negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU should be accompanied by consideration of Ukraine’s interests.
“Poland is ready to assist in preparing for such negotiations, as it has gone through this path,” the Vice Marshal of the Senate assured his Ukrainian counterpart.