The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine held a meeting with the employees of the Secretariat of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine mobilised to defend Ukraine and employees of state enterprises and institutions subordinated to the Secretariat’s Department of Affairs.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, addressed the audience and said: “Ukrainian statehood is a thousand-year history of traditions passed down from generation to generation. And today I am very pleased that we have the opportunity to celebrate such an important holiday for our country. Because the state is the foundation of our future.”
According to Ruslan Stefanchuk, during this war, more than 70 employees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, employees of state-owned enterprises, institutions subordinated to the Secretariat’s Department of Affairs, as well as assistants to MPs were mobilised and some of them, unfortunately, did not return. “Therefore, statehood is not about years, it is about people who profess common ideas and a common vision. And in these difficult times for Ukraine, it is these people who are performing a great feat. This is a feat of struggle for Ukraine,” he said.
The First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko thanked all those who, on behalf of the Ukrainian Parliament, defend our country every night and every day.
“I am also grateful to those who continue to work in the Verkhovna Rada Secretariat, despite all the difficulties and circumstances, with the hope and faith that we will win. And we will. Ukraine will win – free, independent and democratic! Glory to Ukraine!” the First Vice-Speaker stressed.
The Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk noted that “we must draw conclusions from each year of history. And now the main conclusion that we all have is that we must fight for our statehood, sovereignty, independence, and we must defend it every day.”
Olena Kondratiuk also reminded that there are currently more than 60,000 women in the security forces, 5,000 of whom are currently on the frontline. “It is very difficult for them, just like for you, just like for all of us. But we all understand and believe that our victory is the dream and hope that gives us the opportunity to continue living, working, studying, treating, teaching, and helping each other.”
Viacheslav Shtuchnyi, the Chief of Staff of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, congratulated the participants on the Day of Ukrainian Statehood.
“This day shapes our national consciousness, strengthens historical memory, unites us all against encroachments on our past, present and future. We are a great nation with a glorious, albeit difficult, history. A nation that is part of a free European family,” the Chief of Staff noted, thanking the employees mobilised for the defence of Ukraine who continue to defend our country.
The participants observed a minute of silence in memory of all those who died, in particular, the leading electrical engineer of the administrative buildings department Petro Torchyn, who was killed in action on 25 July last year, and all the fallen defenders of Ukraine.
During the meeting, the Speaker of the Parliament presented state awards and insignia to the employees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine who stood up for Ukraine, in accordance with the Presidential Decree, the orders of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the orders of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.