A permanent European Parliament Representation Office will open in Kyiv
During the official visit, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola met with the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and leaders of parliamentary factions and groups. During the meeting, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk received from Roberta Metsola the protocol on the opening of a permanent European Parliament Representation in the Ukrainian capital.
«This decision is of great importance: it will deepen cooperation between Ukraine and the EU, strengthen coordination on the ground and send an additional signal of political support. The European Parliament is moving even closer to Ukraine, confirming that our path to EU membership is confident and consistent,» the Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament emphasised.
Roberta Metsola, in turn, stressed: «We have put aside our differences because it was important to unite in support of Ukraine. Ukraine's future lies in the European Union. We will be there every step of the way.»
Speaking about cooperation between the Ukrainian Parliament and the European Union Parliament, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko noted the progress made in screening Ukrainian legislation and the broad involvement of MPs in inter-parliamentary cooperation. «This is a major step forward that will help us move faster and more confidently along the path of adaptation to the next stages of European integration,» he said.
At the same time, Deputy Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Olena Kondratiuk stressed the need for decisive action regarding the network of 210 institutions identified by the Yeltsin Laboratory for Humanitarian Studies for the ‘re-education’ and militarisation of deported and illegally displaced Ukrainian children on russian territory. «This is a completely new level of crime that requires EU sanctions against russian state institutions and individuals involved in this network,» she said.
The Servant of the People political party faction emphasised the issue of abducted children and civilian hostages, as well as russia's responsibility for war crimes: Mariia Mezentseva-Fedorenko called for a clear signal from the European Parliament, the promotion of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression, and the use of frozen russian assets to compensate victims: «We need these funds — the compensation mechanism is working, people are applying, but payments are still limited.»
On behalf of the European Solidarity faction, Petro Poroshenko expressed gratitude for the EP resolution on Ukraine and the minute of silence in honour of Andriy Parubiy, outlining two ‘pillars’ of support: guarantees of democracy and increased assistance — from investments in the defence industry to a new package of sanctions.
European unity in supporting Ukraine is the key to success both in the war and on the path to European integration. This was stated by the leader of the Batkivshchyna faction, Yulia Tymoshenko. At the same time, she recalled the importance of preserving Ukraine's sovereignty and high social standards in legislation.
The head of the Holos faction, Oleksandra Ustinova, emphasised the need for investment in Ukraine's own defence production. «Without the development of our arms industry, security guarantees for Europe will not be complete,» she said.
Larysa Bilozir, leader of the Dovira (Trust) group, drew particular attention to the threat to the Ukrainian economy posed by daily russian attacks. «Wars are won by economies, and only a united Europe can neutralise Putin's strategy,» the MP stressed.
Yurii Boiko, co-chair of the Platform for Life and Peace group, expressed his gratitude for the assistance provided to Ukrainian refugees: «More than four million of our citizens have found a home in Europe. This is support that we greatly appreciate.»
At the end of the meeting, Roberta Metsola confirmed that Maximilian Schröder will head the newly established European Parliament Representation in Kyiv. According to her, it will become a permanent channel for dialogue between MEPs and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.