Тhe First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko pays a working visit to the French Republic
“Today, the world is talking a lot about Ukrainian issues. But it is time to give answers. And I know a brilliant example of someone who can and does give such answers every day. These are our French friends and partners,” said Oleksandr Korniienko, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, in his speech at the First European Campus of the Renaissance Party, noting that the main thing is to “talk about Ukraine, the struggle and important issues – to save our cities, people and end the brutal war started by the russian federation.”
The struggle we are waging against the terrorist regime of the russian president is a common struggle
“No one in Ukraine can feel completely safe. At a time when the aggressor can still produce missiles with Western components. At a time when certain countries are still refraining from supporting our country in various areas,” Oleksandr Korniienko emphasised.
He also noted that the struggle we are waging against the terrorist regime of the russian president is a common struggle: “We are fighting for democracy against dictatorship –and together we are defending the rule of law against chaos.”
A more global political will is needed to continue this fight together
In addition, Oleksandr Korniienko stressed that today we need a more global political will to continue this fight together. “We have to unite all our efforts to win and establish a lasting and sustainable peace on the European continent,” he said, adding that there are urgent and long-term needs that would allow Ukraine to win the war faster and pay a lower price.
“Every day we pay the highest price – the lives of Ukraine’s sons and daughters. And we know that France supports us both bilaterally and at the European level,” Oleksandr Korniienko expressed his gratitude to the French Republic for supporting Ukraine.
He also thanked France for its significant support in rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure. In this context, Oleksandr Korniienko expressed hope for the speedy implementation of joint projects, in particular, the restoration of medical infrastructure.
Additional means of protection, strengthening cooperation and the Peace Formula – a series of meetings with European parliamentarians
On the sidelines of the First European Campus of the Renaissance Party, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko met with Benjamin Haddad, the Chairman of the Ukraine-France Friendship Group in the National Assembly of the French Parliament, Laurence Boone, the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade, the Chairman of the European Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of France, Stephane Sejourne, the Chairman of the European Parliament’s Renew Europe Group, and Bernard Guetta, MEP.
The main issues raised during the meetings were Ukraine’s need for additional means to protect its airspace and supply arms, strengthening cooperation between defence companies, and the implementation of all points of President Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s Peace Formula.
“Today, it is extremely important for us to strengthen Ukraine’s industrial defence potential by enhancing cooperation between defence companies,” said Oleksandr Korniienko, noting that joint production of weapons and spare parts, including those of French origin, their localisation in Ukraine, exchange of modern technologies and experience, and joint investment are among Ukraine’s top priorities.
“We look forward to France’s further assistance in restoring energy facilities damaged by russian aggression in order to confidently pass the upcoming autumn and winter period,” the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed.
“Ukraine is grateful for France’s active involvement in the implementation of the Peace Formula, in particular, for its leadership in the implementation of one of its main provisions – paragraph 1 “Radiation and Nuclear Safety”, he said.
In addition, during the meetings, Oleksandr Korniienko noted the formation of a common vision and strategy for African countries, in particular, in the fight against russian narratives.
The First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also expressed gratitude to the French Republic for its consistent support of Ukraine’s European integration prospects, which made it possible to reach the real result of the July NATO Summit in Vilnius, enshrined in the joint statement of the Group of Seven countries.
“We look forward to the earliest possible start of negotiations with France on a bilateral agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine,” he said, adding that Ukraine expects this document to have international legal legitimacy and binding nature.
“We appreciate France’s continued support of the Ukrainian grain initiative and the common understanding of the importance of unimpeded exports of Ukrainian grain by sea to overcome the global food security problem,” said Oleksandr Korniienko.
He expressed his hope for France’s further participation in this initiative, both within the framework of the World Food Programme and bilaterally or jointly with other donor countries.
In conclusion, the First Vice-Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko expressed his gratitude to France “for its leadership in solutions for Ukraine, support and assistance on the way to a just victory – the victory of Ukraine and the world over evil and terror”.