At the beginning of the conversation, Ruslan Stefanchuk expressed his gratitude to the people, the authorities of the Czech Republic and the Parliament, in particular, for their steady and effective support of Ukraine since the first days of russia’s full-scale invasion, especially for the recent political decisions important for our country.

“I am very grateful for the recognition by the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament of the russian regime as a terrorist one, as well as the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as a genocide of the Ukrainian people. We highly appreciate the Czech Republic’s active role in increasing international pressure on the aggressor, as well as consolidating efforts to provide assistance to Ukraine,” Ruslan Stefanchuk stressed.

He also noted that since the beginning of the war, interparliamentary contacts and cooperation between the two parliaments have significantly intensified at all levels.

“This trend should be maintained. For my part, I would like to assure you of our readiness to further develop active inter-parliamentary relations, cooperation and our ties as Speakers,” said the Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament.

The parties also discussed the preparation and organisation of the Second Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimean Platform, which the Czech Republic has agreed to host.

“I am confident that this event will give further impetus to the development of the parliamentary component of the Crimean Platform’s activities and bring us closer to our common goal – the de-occupation of the Crimean Peninsula and all temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk, thanking the Speaker for her personal involvement in the promotion of the event. 

The parties also discussed a number of pressing issues related to further cooperation between our countries and parliaments.

One of the main points of the meeting was defence support, in particular, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked the Czech Republic for the military and technical assistance already provided, training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces units and specialists in the Czech Republic, repair of machinery and military equipment for Ukraine and provision of medical services for our defenders.

The parties also touched upon the Czech Republic’s support for the initiative of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi – the peace formula and the Czech Republic’s patronage of one of its points.

“As we bring our victory closer, we must promote our peace formula together. And I thank the Czech Republic for supporting the UN General Assembly resolution in support of Ukraine in its fight against russian aggression. For us, this is an important joint step towards further implementation of the peace formula. Ukraine is interested in involving as many states as possible in its implementation. And I hope that the Czech Republic will take an active part in the process,” the Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament urged his Czech counterpart, inviting the Czech Republic to take part in the summit dedicated to the implementation and enforcement of the peace formula.

The participants of the conversation also discussed Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic course, in particular, our advocacy by the Czech Republic in these matters; the EU’s sanctions policy towards the aggressor country and its strengthening; support for the establishment of a special tribunal to hold russia internationally accountable for all crimes committed in Ukraine; and assistance to our citizens who have fled the war and found refuge in the Czech Republic.

 “I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue the dialogue, discussing the current challenges and threats that our countries and the world are facing today in connection with russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The end of the war, the victory of Ukraine, and the restoration of its territorial integrity are the key tasks today. This year should be a victorious year for everyone, so we must make every effort for our common victory,” Ruslan Stefanchuk concluded.

In her turn, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic, Marketa Pekarova Adamova, assured her Ukrainian counterpart that the Czech Republic would not stop supporting Ukraine and considered it its duty.

“We want to ensure you our support in the Parliament, the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Czech Republic. We will not weaken it in any way, but rather strengthen it,” the Chairperson stressed.

On behalf of the people of the Czech Republic, she also expressed her admiration for the courage and bravery of the Ukrainian people and their soldiers. 

“We bow our heads to your defenders. They are extremely brave in this unequal battle. For this reason, we continue to support you, including your full membership in the EU and NATO,” said Marketa Pekarova Adamova.

At the same time, she stressed that this war did not actually begin last year, but back in 2014 with the occupation of Crimea. And until the last russian soldier leaves Ukrainian soil, we cannot talk about the end of the war.

“We would like all EU member states to understand this in the same way. russia is very active in terms of its propaganda and disinformation in certain regions. That is why the Czech Republic joined the initiative to hold the International Crimean Platform’s Parliamentary Summit and offered a venue in Prague. The more we involve countries in such events, the more we can increase support for Ukraine in the world. This will be the best answer to putin that we are united,” said the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic.