The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, addressed the National Council of the Republic of Austria

Informatiion Department
Published on 14 June 2022, at 15:31

The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, addressed the National Council of the Republic of Austria. It is symbolic that this speech took place in the year of the 30th anniversary of the resumption of Ukrainian-Austrian diplomatic relations"

Ruslan Stefanchuk stressed that June 24 in Europe is a unique chance to give a decent answer and change the course of history in their favor.

"I am here with the main goal – to tell everyone that " Ukraine is Europe." This is our conscious civilizational choice. We are "fans" of the EU, "said the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine.

According to him, a positive decision on Ukraine's EU bid is a request of society. Austria's support for this decision will open a 45 million Ukrainian market for Austrian business people. It will motivate the people of Ukraine to continue to resist and turn the war in favor of peace.

"In case of a positive decision, every Ukrainian will hear a great motivational" yes "from Europe," said the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

Ruslan Stefanchuk stressed that Ukraine does not need concessions – it is ready to meet all the necessary Copenhagen criteria to become a complete and honest member of the EU.

The Chairperson of the Ukrainian Parliament expressed his gratitude to the Austrian people, who extended a helping hand to the Ukrainian people and sheltered more than 70,000 Ukrainian citizens, providing them with "solidarity protection."

"We are amazed at how sincerely Austria has taken to heart the tragedy of our land, our people.”

Ruslan Stefanchuk added that Austria also plays a significant role in imposing sanctions on the aggressor, providing humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine.

"I believe we will win this war by working together and defending Europe. And for this, you need to be determined and courageous. There can also be no return to business as usual with russia. The war you are sponsoring cannot be stopped," the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed.

He also stressed the need to ensure food security in the world, recognition of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine as genocide of the Ukrainian people, fair justice, and compensation for the damage caused to Ukraine and Europe at the expense of russia.

"Such steps by the Austrian Parliament would be highly appreciated by the Ukrainian side and would also be an additional manifestation of solidarity with our state," said the head of the Ukrainian Parliament.

Finally, Ruslan Stefanchuk invited Austria to join the reconstruction of Ukraine.

"We invite Austrian investors to Ukraine. In recent years, Austria has been one of the six largest investors in Ukraine. We especially appreciate the position of those companies that left the russian market at the beginning of the war to demonstrate that justice and honor are worth more than economic gain," Ruslan Stefanchuk said.