“Today, we will be thankful and justly so, and we will also remember all our compatriots whose lives were taken by this cruel, groundless and senseless aggression. But just as the suffering caused by the aggressor has no limits, so does our national memory have and will have no limits,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed.
Ruslan Stefanchuk emphasised that the heroic Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine, among which the Armed Forces of Ukraine play a key role, perform the most difficult tasks of protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine every day. On behalf of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, he expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian soldiers who successfully repel russian assaults, skilfully and regularly send the enemy fleet to the bottom, effectively and systematically destroy its aviation, successfully use aircraft and maritime drones, and train to fly the aircraft of our allies and partners in the near future.
In addition, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked all the heroic Ukrainian people, “the people who are going through this, undoubtedly, the most difficult stage in the modern history with dignity and endurance”.
“From the first day of the war until the 731st day of the war, Ukraine has always felt the support and assistance of its international friends and partners,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk, adding that representatives of 30 countries and international organisations, including parliamentary ones, had joined the special session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. “We are grateful and sincerely believe that this support will continue until Ukraine wins, until it fully restores its territorial integrity and sovereignty. During our numerous meetings, I have noticed how carefully you have listened to the list of our needs. I ask you to hear and feel what we feel, what Ukrainian soldiers, mothers and children feel, and help us even more,” he said.
Ruslan Stefanchuk added that life cannot be postponed until after the war, especially when it comes to such important things as the formation of a mature and responsible society, Ukraine's integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic community, with the ultimate goal of membership in the European Union and NATO.
At the same time, he noted that it is important to maintain the unity of the anti-putin coalition, striving for victory, not appeasement of the aggressor, and consolidating all forces to achieve victory: “That is why russia should continue to feel the powerful pressure of the international community, which should be based on providing Ukraine with all possible means for the country's defence, as well as tough international sanctions against the aggressor country.”
In addition, according to Ruslan Stefanchuk, it is necessary to radically revise the means and mechanisms of the democratic world's response to the fact of aggression, to develop appropriate algorithms to prevent such facts. He noted that the Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi is intended to help learn this lesson.
“Only clear determination and purposefulness will lead Ukraine to victory and a return to peaceful life. Our unity and cohesion, both within the country and in the international arena and in the fight against a common enemy,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed, noting that the only real opposition to the dictator and tyrant putin is the Ukrainian people and the united international community, which is able to defend its principles and values and put international criminals in their place.