The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk held a videoconference with the President of the Senate of the French Republic Gerard Larcher.
The parties discussed Ukraine’s path to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the European Union, as well as the continuation of defence support for Ukraine.
“Ukraine’s strategic goal is NATO membership,” the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine stressed in the first place.
He also noted that Ukraine is aware that it will not be able to become a full member of the Alliance until the war is over. “Nevertheless, at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, we want to receive a clear signal from the Allies on the timeframe for Ukraine’s future accession to NATO,” stressed Ruslan Stefanchuk.
In addition, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine noted that Ukraine counts on France’s political support for Ukraine’s application for accelerated accession to the Alliance during the Summit.
“Progress in the implementation of all seven recommendations identified by the European Commission will allow us to start negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU this year,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk.
For his part, the President of the Senate of the French Republic Gerard Larcher stressed that the European Commission’s oral assessment of Ukraine’s progress towards the EU was positive. “It was noted that Ukraine has demonstrated the greatest progress among all the candidates for EU membership,” Gerard Larcher stressed, assuring that the French Republic is ready to accompany and assist Ukraine on this path, in particular, in terms of expertise and assistance of the Senate.
In conclusion, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk thanked the French Republic for its unprecedented military, technical, financial and humanitarian assistance.