Oleksandr Korniienko addressed the OSCE PA representatives
The First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko took part in a joint meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Bureau and the OSCE PA Special Committee ‘Parliamentary Support Team for Ukraine’. The event was held in the Ukrainian Parliament on 12 February with the participation of the President of the OSCE PA Pia Kauma and the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets.
The parties discussed a number of critical issues that require urgent action. In particular, they discussed the return of forcibly deported Ukrainian children and thousands of civilian hostages illegally held by russia. Particular attention was paid to the use of disinformation and cyberattacks by russia, the ill-treatment of prisoners of war, and the aggressor's responsibility for all its crimes, both past and present, including the deportation of Crimean Tatars.
In his speech to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed that for the third year in a row, Ukraine has been resisting external aggression, which poses a serious threat not only to Ukraine but also to the whole of Europe in the long term.
He noted that these three years have been a test for the country, but the struggle is ongoing and requires mobilisation of all resources and maximum international support. After the start of the full-scale invasion, legislative activity became particularly intense – the Parliament worked in maximum concentration, making critical decisions for wartime. Laws had to be passed quickly, as there was a real threat of attacks on the Verkhovna Rada.
Oleksandr Korniienko informed the OSCE representatives of the enemy's constant missile and drone attacks, including the morning shelling of the capital, which took place a few hours before the meeting with the Assembly delegation in the Ukrainian Parliament. He stressed that russia is conducting large-scale attacks, including on civilian and energy facilities in Ukraine. At the same time, Ukraine highly appreciates the financial and technical assistance of international partners in restoring critical infrastructure, including the energy system.
The First Vice-Speaker drew special attention to russia's use of disinformation and cyberattacks as elements of hybrid warfare, which poses a serious threat to Ukraine's security system. In response, the state is strengthening information security, in particular by expanding the legal framework in cooperation with international partners. Ukraine already has successful examples of such cooperation with other countries.
Ukraine is sincerely grateful to its international partners for their military and financial support, as well as for adopting resolutions and actively seeking solutions to end russia's aggression against Ukraine. Oleksandr Korniienko thanked the members of the parliaments of the OSCE region for their determination to leave russia in international isolation until the armed aggression against Ukraine is stopped, the occupation troops are withdrawn from Ukrainian territory within internationally recognised borders, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, and the perpetrators are brought to justice in accordance with international law. This is evidenced by numerous documents of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly adopted in 2014-2025, which were a response to the russian aggression against Ukraine.
“We are grateful for your support over the years. After all, the results of our joint actions today will determine the future and security of the entire European continent,” the First Vice-Speaker concluded.
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The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) consists of 323 members of parliaments from 56 OSCE participating States. The Vatican, which does not have its own parliament, may send one of its representatives to meetings of the OSCE PA as an honorary guest.
The main task of the Assembly is to promote inter-parliamentary dialogue, which plays an important role in the overall efforts to respond to challenges and threats to peace and stability.