“Your visit is a manifestation of support and solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine said, noting that such visits are an opportunity to see firsthand the terror that the russian federation is wreaking.
Ruslan Stefanchuk informed his colleagues about the intense shelling that has taken place in recent days, in particular, about the devastating consequences of massive missile attacks by russia: “Ukrainian cities across the country are regularly shelled. The last two nights have been terrible for our country. We have experienced a combined attack from russia, there are dead and injured. The infrastructure has been destroyed.”
At the same time, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked for the decisions of the Council of Europe, especially for such decisions as the expulsion of the russian federation from the Council. He also noted the leading role of the Council of Europe in establishing the Register of Damages and the progress in establishing the Special Tribunal, which is important for restoring justice. “Anyone who violates international law must be held accountable in accordance with international law,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk.
The Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine expressed gratitude to the member states of the Council of Europe for their financial, humanitarian and military support for Ukraine. In particular, he focused on defence assistance to Ukraine.
“The speed and consistency of arms deliveries remain critically important,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk, outlining Ukraine's main needs – air defence systems, ammunition and artillery, and drones. “If the Ukrainian military has them in sufficient quantity and on time, the Armed Forces will be able to inflict a military defeat on russia on the battlefield,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed.
In addition, Ruslan Stefanchuk thanked for the efforts to support the Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, as it is a formula for a just and comprehensive peace.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine drew special attention of his colleagues to paragraph 5 of the Peace Formula – “Implementation of the UN Charter and restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the world order”. He emphasised that its implementation is aimed not only at protecting one of the most important principles of international law – restoring the territorial integrity of our country – but also at consolidating efforts to improve the existing mechanisms for implementing the UN Charter.