Ruslan Stefanchuk: The future of Ukraine, the security of Europe, and the strength of international law depend on our shared resolve
The work of the Fourth Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform, officially opened by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, together with Andreas Norlén, Speaker of the Swedish Parliament, has concluded.
The Summit, which brought together representatives of nearly 70 delegations from parliaments and international organisations around the world in the Riksdag building, focused on the consequences of russia’s occupation of Crimea — in particular, security threats, economic and environmental impacts of the aggression, new approaches to the de-occupation of the peninsula and the protection of the rights of citizens from the temporarily occupied territories, as well as the strengthening of sanctions against russia and mitigating negative economic and environmental consequences for the region.
In his address to the participants of the Fourth Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked Sweden for its hospitality and the high level of organisation, and expressed gratitude to partner countries for their continuous support of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. He stressed that the joint efforts of the international community are key to countering russian aggression.
«It was especially symbolic to see in the Riksdag the 1710 Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk — one of the oldest European acts, which reminds us that Ukraine’s right to statehood and freedom has deep historical roots,» the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada said.
Ruslan Stefanchuk focused attention on the situation in Crimea: russia is turning the peninsula into a military base, persecuting dissenters, dismantling Ukrainian schools and cultural heritage sites, exporting stolen grain, and restricting people’s rights to freedom of speech, education in their native language, and national identity. He highlighted the courage of Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars, Krymchaks and Karaites who continue to resist the occupation, and stressed the need for joint efforts to stop the aggression and restore international law.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada outlined the principles of Ukraine’s future peace plan: strengthening defence capabilities, security guarantees from the EU and the United States, increased sanctions pressure on russia, and Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO.
He emphasised Ukraine’s «red lines» — the inviolability of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity — and called on partners to use all available instruments to ensure a secure and just peace.
«This day of the Fourth Parliamentary Summit of the Crimea Platform in Stockholm demonstrated that international support for Ukraine remains strong, consistent, and principled,» Ruslan Stefanchuk concluded.
During his working visit, he held a meeting with President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Theodoros Rousopoulos. The parties discussed peace initiatives and a joint position regarding future negotiations.
On the sidelines of the Summit, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also met with President of the German Bundestag Julia Klöckner. The parliamentary leaders addressed the issue of returning illegally deported Ukrainian children — one of russia’s crimes that requires decisive and coordinated international action. During the meeting, Ruslan Stefanchuk formally presented Julia Klöckner with a high state decoration of Ukraine. In accordance with the Decree of the President of Ukraine, she was awarded the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, First Class, for her significant personal contribution to the development of interparliamentary cooperation and her steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
At the meeting with Speaker of the National Assembly of Bulgaria Raya Nazaryan, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada received clear assurances that Bulgaria will remain with Ukraine until the war is over and a just peace is achieved. The parties agreed to deepen interparliamentary cooperation, including through exchanges of visits and enhanced committee-level engagement.
On the sidelines of the Fourth Parliamentary Summit of the Crimea Platform, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine met with President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Belgium Vincent Blondel to discuss peace efforts and the U.S.-proposed vision for ending the war. The parliamentary leaders also addressed the issue of using russia’s frozen assets.
During the meeting with Speaker of the Parliament of Estonia Lauri Hussar, it was noted that Estonia remains ready to help strengthen international pressure on russia.
With the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Tulia Ackson, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine discussed the role of parliamentary diplomacy in ensuring a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and invited the IPU President to visit Ukraine.
The reconstruction of Ukraine and opportunities for the involvement of Spanish businesses in recovery projects were discussed by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine during his meeting with the Speaker of the Congress of Deputies of the Kingdom of Spain Francina Armengol. The parties agreed to intensify cooperation and to arrange exchanges of visits in the near future. During the meeting, Ruslan Stefanchuk presented Francina Armengol with a state award — the Order of Princess Olga, Third Class — granted by Decree of the President of Ukraine for her significant personal contribution to the development of interparliamentary cooperation and support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On the sidelines of the Fourth Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also met with Caroline Nokes, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. It was stressed that the United Kingdom will continue to stand firmly with Ukraine, its sovereignty, and the joint fight against russian aggression.
The Fourth Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform has once again demonstrated the strong and consistent international support for Ukraine.