The leadership of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine met with a delegation of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Denmark headed by its Speaker
For the first time in the history of Ukrainian-Danish relations, the leadership of the Danish Parliament, the Folketing, almost in its entirety, came to Ukraine and met with the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
The meeting began at the Parliamentary Memorials, where the memory of the Ukrainian MPs and staff of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine who died as a result of russian armed aggression, as well as the soldiers of the National Guard of Ukraine who died while serving near the Ukrainian Parliament, was honored.
During the meeting, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk noted that the visit of the Speaker of the Folketing of the Kingdom of Denmark Søren Gade and members of the Presidium of the Danish Parliament demonstrates a high level of interparliamentary dialogue, and Ukraine highly appreciates such political support.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked Denmark for the recent 20th military assistance package and the fourth package of assistance for the restoration of Ukraine. “I am especially grateful to Denmark for its decision to become a founding member of the coalition to provide F-16 aircraft to Ukraine,” he stressed.
During the meeting, the parties focused on further military support for Ukraine, the needs of the Ukrainian security and defense forces and training of Ukrainian servicemen.
Another important topic was the discussion of Ukraine's European integration. The Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament assured that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is committed to implementing all legislative changes in line with the Copenhagen criteria for EU accession.
The First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko focused on two topics: the situation at the frontline and military needs, as well as the importance of the European integration process. He also thanked Denmark for its support of Ukraine in this regard. “We are grateful to Denmark for facilitating our European integration path. The Ukrainian people aspire to become a full-fledged member of the EU, so we are working hard to achieve this as soon as possible,” the First Vice Speaker said.
Oleksandr Korniienko also conveyed the gratitude of the Ukrainian military for the support of Denmark in providing F-16 aircraft and ammunition: “This is critically important and saves lives, in particular, the development of military technology in Ukraine and cooperation in this area,” he stressed.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk stressed that the war in Ukraine often has a female and childish face. “The most vulnerable — Ukrainian women and children — suffer the most from russia's full-scale invasion. russia is also abducting and illegally adopting our children on a massive scale, trying to deprive them of their Ukrainian identity” she said.
The Vice Speaker expressed her gratitude to Denmark for joining the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. “Forty countries have already joined the Coalition. I appeal to you, Mr Speaker, and the entire Presidium of the Danish Parliament to prepare and adopt a resolution condemning the mass abduction of Ukrainian children by russia and demanding their immediate return home to Ukraine,” Olena Kondratiuk called on her Danish colleagues.
In his turn, the Speaker of the Danish Parliament, Søren Gade, stressed that it was a great honor for him and his colleagues from the Presidium to be in Kyiv for the first time since the full-scale invasion. He also noted that it is one thing to hear and talk about the war remotely, and quite another to be here and see firsthand how society continues to live and support those who serve and defend Ukraine and beyond.
“I emphasize that you are fighting not only for the freedom of Ukraine, but also for the freedom of Europe. And I want to thank Ukraine for this struggle,” said the Speaker of the Parliament of Denmark.
He also assured his Ukrainian colleagues that Denmark would fully support Ukraine on its path to full integration with the European Union
At the end of the meeting, the Parties discussed joint participation in international events and expanding the formats of cooperation between the Parliaments of Ukraine and Denmark.