We hope that the debate in the US Congress on security assistance will end with a positive decision for Ukraine
The Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk met with a delegation of senior advisors from the Republican and Democratic wings of the U.S. Congress led by the President of the American Foreign Policy Council Herman Pirchner. He is an experienced and influential American strategist, author of the book “Post putin”.
“On behalf of the Verkhovna Rada, I would like to express my gratitude to the U.S. Congress and our American partners and colleagues for their bipartisan support of Ukraine. It is very important for us,” emphasized Olena Kondratiuk.
She also noted that the Ukrainian Parliament is interested in ensuring that all assistance, including military aid, provided by the United States to Ukraine is used transparently and for the intended purpose.
To this end, the Verkhovna Rada has established a provisional investigatory commission to monitor the receipt and use of international material and technical assistance during martial law. We also have a clear statement by Pentagon Secretary Lloyd Austin on January 23 at Ramstein that there were no signs of violations or misuse of American weapons on the Ukrainian side,” emphasized the Vice Speaker Olena Kondratiuk.
The parties also emphasized the important role of parliamentary diplomacy. They discussed the need to establish closer, more direct contacts and ongoing communication between the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the U.S. Congress. Both at the level of parliamentary leadership and friendship groups, committees, and advisors.
“I hope that the ongoing debate in the U.S. Congress, in particular, on the aid package for Ukraine, will be completed as soon as possible with a compromise and positive decision. We need this assistance. Unfortunately, time is playing in favor of the russian aggressor,” emphasized Olena Kondratiuk.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine informed the participants of the meeting in detail about the situation with the mass abduction of Ukrainian children by russia and their forced adoption.
“I am asking you to inform the members of the U.S. Congress as widely as possible about russia's horrific violations of the rights of Ukrainian children,” said Olena Kondratiuk.
In conclusion, the Vice Speaker presented the American delegation with drawings by Ukrainian children from the Educational Center of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. They were about the biggest dreams of children today – victory and peace in Ukraine.