The Defence Forces should receive all the necessary means to repel the enemy and win the fight against russian aggression
First of all, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine expressed his gratitude to his Czech colleagues – the President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová – for the invitation to come to Prague and participate in this Summit.
Ruslan Stefanchuk thanked his colleagues for their speeches and opinions on the russian aggression against Ukraine, which has been going on for over a decade and has been in the hottest phase of a major conventional war that Europe has not seen since the Second World War.
“It was important to hear that your countries are still in solidarity with Ukraine and will support us with all available means. This is the position of true partners, true neighbours, true friends,” he said, adding that it is important to understand the stage of the war and the objective situation on the battlefield.
At the same time, he stressed that russia demonstrates its readiness for a prolonged war of attrition, still has significant resources, skilfully uses war fatigue and does not forget about the tool of nuclear blackmail.
In particular, since October last year, the russian occupation army has been conducting an offensive along the entire frontline: “They have no strategic success, but continue to look for weaknesses in Ukraine's defence. Our goal is to deplete the enemy's forces and inflict maximum losses on them.”
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine noted that recently the russian army had finally managed to create conditions for the withdrawal of the Ukrainian Defence Forces from Avdiivka in the East of the country: “More than 15 enemy formations were attacking in the Avdiivka direction. Ukrainian troops inflicted huge losses on the enemy and destroyed a significant reserve of the russian army.” The Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine stressed that the Ukrainian military had to withdraw from Avdiivka, which is mainly due to a significant shortage of ammunition.
“These are the realities of today. The lack of ammunition and weapons is felt along the entire frontline and determines the nature of our defenders' actions. The enemy is using artillery six times more than Ukrainian forces,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk, adding that all weapons and ammunition produced by russia are immediately delivered to the battlefield. In addition, russia has received approximately one million artillery shells from North Korea and drones from Iran.
“We need to maintain unity and strengthen the pro-Ukrainian coalition in the world. The Defence Forces must receive all the necessary means to repel the enemy and win the fight against russian aggression,” said the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, while stressing the importance of ensuring a reliable rear.
“The countries whose parliaments you represent are part of the rear of this war – the war of democracy against totalitarianism. It is through your countries that Ukraine has a physical connection with the rest of the world. The reliability of these borders and the stability of these 'arteries of life' are directly related to Ukraine's ability to deter the enemy's army,” Ruslan Stefanchuk concluded, appealing to the parliamentarians present to do everything possible “to keep these arteries functioning and the rear remaining reliable.”