On Tuesday, Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman met with Rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Marieluise Beck and Kristyna Zelienkova. The parties discussed the situation in Donbas, status of the implementation of the Minsk agreements and current political situation in Ukraine.
The Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada informed that the situation in Donbas remained complicated despite the declared ceasefire regime. Besides, since early 2016 (as against December 2015) the number of militant-organized shelling cases has grown substantially, Groysman added.
The Chairperson of the Ukrainian Parliament noted that Ukraine is committed to the implementation of the Minsk agreements. In particular, he said that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine had adopted a number of required legislative acts. At the same time, "Russia does not show any willingness to adhere to the Minsk agreements," and the obligations it took, Groysman said. "Our task is to achieve the implementation of the Minsk agreements and withdrawal of Russian troops and Russia-supported militants outside the Ukrainian territory," the Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada said.
Groysman also noted that the elections in Donbas must be democratic and free and must take place only in strict compliance with the Ukrainian legislation after the withdrawal of the troops by Russia. "It is obvious that the role of the OSCE must be raised in this process. The restoration of control over the border and holding of democratic local elections on that territory are also a must. We do support it all. however, we cannot hold any elections there when the war is underway, when the Ukrainian legislation is not obeyed, in presence of Russian troops and their mercenaries, and without the participation of Ukrainian political parties," Groysman said.
The Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada reminded that recently Russia had sentenced Ukrainian officer and Verkhovna Rada deputy of the Batkivschyna All-Ukrainian Association faction Nadiya Savchenko. "We see that all their accusations, sentences — everything that has been done by the Russian regime was absurd. We have to unite and continue pressing on the Kremlin to return Nadiya Savchenko home," Groysman said.
The Chairperson of the Ukrainian Parliament also noted that despite complicated political situation in the country, the Parliament shows its ability to take decisions. "Having both internal and external challenges we are doing our best to settle the political crisis via diplomatic negotiations to continue the reforms in Ukraine and move towards our European integration," Groysman said.
In turn, Rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Marieluise Beck and Kristyna Zelienkova noted that Ukraine has to further continue the implementation of the Minsk agreements and show readiness to take required decisions after the Russian Federation fulfills its obligations.