The Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk met with a delegation of deputies of the National Council of the Slovak Republic headed by Ms Monika Kozelova.
According to the Vice Speaker, the deputies came to Ukraine for the first time and today they felt and heard what massive rocket attacks by russia on Kyiv and Ukraine are like.
The Slovak MPs represent various committees of the National Council: Security, Humanitarian Policy, Media and Culture. During the meeting, a number of issues were raised that are important for further cooperation between the two parliaments.
In particular, the Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada drew the attention of her colleagues to the severe humanitarian challenges faced by Ukraine as a result of russian aggression.
“According to the latest verified data from the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, russia has abducted and taken away 16,226 Ukrainian children, which is a direct sign of genocide. They are being forcibly adopted and forced to renounce their Ukrainian identity,” said Olena Kondratiuk.
The Slovak MPs, in turn, said that they were not only helping Ukraine politically, but also sheltered Ukrainian women and children in their homes.
“They also brought with them a painting called The Little Prince, dedicated to Ukrainian children, which was painted by Ms. Monika herself. I am very grateful to her for this! We talked about the fact that all Ukrainian children abducted by russia wear a blue and yellow chevron in their hearts, just like the Little Prince in this picture,” said the Vice Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine.
At the same time, she stressed that it is very important for the members of both parliaments that all Ukrainian children are returned home from russian captivity.
“This is our common task together with all EU countries and the democratic world. In particular, we discussed the need for the Slovak Parliament to officially condemn the abduction of Ukrainian children,” emphasised Olena Kondratiuk.
The parties also discussed support for the establishment of an international special tribunal for the crime of russian aggression against Ukraine and the payment of reparations to ensure that justice is restored to Ukraine.
