On May 30, the head of the Ukrainian parliament A. Parubiy met with the international delegation headed by US Congressman Tim Walberg (Michigan). He thanked the guests for years of supporting Ukraine by the United States in the most difficult times of the country's independence.
A.Parubiy stressed the importance of having such reliable partners as the United States of America. "We have a unique chance to have support of both of the two US political forces and the two chambers of the Congress," he said, then emphasizing: "Such a support is vital to us in the defence sphere".
According to him, "it was a very big sign for Ukrainians when the Congress recognized the Holodomor 1932-33 as a genocide against the Ukrainian people and voted for the resolution to the fifth anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity, and, of course, the recent decisions on the "Nord Stream 2" project.
"Russia is conducting a hybrid war against the entire civilized world, a war in all directions, not only by tanks, but also through energy sector, sphere of information, through cyber attacks," said the politician. - The answer of the whole civilized world must be integral and holistic - in all possible directions".
In Parubiy’s opinion, in the civilizational confrontation with Russia, the support of the United States in the field of security and defence, as well as in the implementation of reforms is of the critical essence to Ukraine.
The head of parliament noted that the strategic direction of Ukraine's development, regardless of the presidential or parliamentary elections, would remain unchanged. He also expressed his hope that the United States would remain a reliable partner and an ally of Ukraine in the future.
The Verkhovna Rada Chairman said that democratic transformations in Ukraine include not only large-scale reforms, but also the expansion and intensification of international relations with, in particular, Poland, the Baltic States, Georgia (Sakartvelo), Moldova and others.
A.Parubiy appealed to representatives of the American politicum to strengthen sanctions against Russian companies involved in the “Nord Stream 2” project. “This is a key issue. There is an acute need of the US Congress’s support,” stressed the Chairman.
The Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada also thanked the guests for participating in the VIII National Prayer Breakfast.
In turn, the congressmen thanked for the hospitality shown throughout their stay and confirmed the continued support of Ukraine by the United States. "Without a doubt, the United States will support Ukraine, and now - more than ever. You have shown an example of how to fight socialism and communism, making your success to be a success for other countries - an example of a country that defends its rights and freedoms," said Tim Walberg.
He also noted that Ukraine has proved that it can manage itself and give more opportunities to its citizens, as well as to join the rest of the civilized world. He also expressed his enthusiasm for the bravery and the force of Chairman’s character.
The meeting was attended by:
Pavlo Ungurian - MP, a member of the People's Front political party faction, the coordinator of the National Prayer Breakfast,
Tim Walberg – a US Congressman from Michigan,
Bob McEwen – a Congressman of the United States of five convocations, the Head of the Council for National Policy,
Doug Burleigh – the Head of the Organizing Committee of the US President's National Prayer Breakfast.