Parliaments of the world are uniting to support Ukraine and to counter future military threats: outcomes of the special session of the Ukraine–NATO Interparliamentary Council.
The delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, headed by First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko, concluded its visit to Wiesbaden, Germany, where it participated in the special session of the Ukraine–NATO Interparliamentary Council (UNIC). The event took place over two days, April 23–24, 2025.
The program of the special session focused on discussing key aspects of security assistance to Ukraine. Topics addressed included the consequences of russian attacks, the strengthening of military support for Ukraine, NSATU programme, as well as the necessary measures and consolidation efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
According to Oleksandr Korniienko, the russian war against Ukraine is not just merely an attempt to seize territory, but an effort to destroy the very idea of independence and to challenge the foundations of European and global security.
The program of the visit also included a tour of the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine Center (NSATU) — a NATO command established at the 2024 Washington Summit, responsible for coordinating the provision of military equipment and training for Ukraine by NATO member states and partners.
«We are grateful for this initiative, launched to assist the Armed Forces of Ukraine in aligning with NATO standards. We expect that NSATU will effectively coordinate various types of military assistance to Ukraine, ensure the timely delivery of support, organize the training of Ukrainian service members, and work on the future structure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,» stated First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko.
During the visit to NSATU, parliamentarians from allied countries observed how NATO plans, coordinates, and organizes the provision of critical security assistance to Ukraine. Among other tasks, NSATU is also responsible for coordinating training programs for Ukrainian military personnel.
«The UNIC session provided an opportunity to engage with fellow parliamentarians from various NATO member states, exchange views on the latest developments concerning Ukraine, and explain the urgency of Ukraine’s accession to NATO,» said Oleksandr Merezhko, Deputy Co-Chairman of the Ukraine–NATO Interparliamentary Council and Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation.
While discussing future geopolitical processes, Yehor Cherniev, Head of the Permanent Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, stated that it would be a big mistake for NATO member states to attempt to restore economic cooperation with russia after the end of hostilities or to reduce military assistance to Ukraine and their own rearmament efforts.
In turn, Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze, a member of the Ukraine–NATO Interparliamentary Council and Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the European Union, noted that Ukraine is at a critical stage of the war.
According to Halyna Mykhailyuk, a member of the Ukraine–NATO Interparliamentary Council and Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Law Enforcement, Ukraine will never recognize the temporarily occupied territories as russian. Furthermore, Ukraine will not accept any external dictates regarding the structure, size, or other characteristics of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
At NSATU, it was confirmed that allies continue to support Ukraine, not as participants in the conflict, but as strategic partners who are helping to implement Ukraine's legitimate right to self-defense, as guaranteed by the UN Charter.
During the visit, official interlocutors, experts, and participants repeatedly emphasized the need to increase defense budgets and ramp up arms production. One of the key topics was the issue of redistributing responsibility within the Alliance, with a focus on the necessity for European allied countries to take on a larger share of the tasks related to deterrence and defense on their own territory.
During the visit, participants repeatedly highlighted the key role of transatlantic unity in ensuring the security of the free world.