The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk met with the President of European Parliament Roberta Metsola, in the framework of the Budapest Conference
On the sidelines of the Conference of Speakers of the Parliaments of the European Union Member States, held in Budapest, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, held a meeting with the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola.
He expressed his gratitude for the strong and consistent voice of the European Parliament in support of Ukraine, emphasizing that during the current term, the European Parliament has already adopted seven resolutions in support of our country. «I particularly value the principled resolution concerning Ukrainian children who have been unlawfully transferred and deported by russia. This is a true manifestation of humanity and solidarity with Ukraine,» noted Ruslan Stefanchuk.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine called on the European Parliament to officially recognize the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944 as an act of genocide. He expressed his conviction that such recognition would serve as a powerful signal of justice and historical responsibility, as well as a gesture of solidarity with Ukraine’s indigenous people.
During the meeting, the parties discussed a range of pressing issues, including the importance of preserving European unity in the final document of the Budapest Conference, the critical need to unblock procedures for opening Cluster 1 of accession negotiations with the European Union, the inadmissibility of separating the European integration processes of Ukraine and Moldova, and the need to further strengthen military and economic support for Ukraine.
«We count on continued investment in Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex, the confiscation of russian assets, and support for the initiative to establish a Coalition of the Willing with an international security contingent — on land, at sea, and in the air», emphasized Ruslan Stefanchuk.
He underlined that Ukraine seeks a just peace, not capitulation. «We are prepared for a 30-day ceasefire as a first step toward negotiations, but we will not accept any concessions — neither on our territories, nor our Defense Forces, nor our sovereign decisions. Only strength can deter the aggressor,» stated the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Ruslan Stefanchuk acknowledged the leadership of the European Parliament in supporting Ukraine and expressed hope for its active role in shaping the future security architecture of the continent.