The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk held a working meeting with the Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo.
“Finland is a true ally, friend and special partner of Ukraine. The programme of the Finnish Government provides for all aspects of comprehensive and long-term support for Ukraine in the coming years,” the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine stressed first of all.
Ruslan Stefanchuk expressed his gratitude for Finland’s leadership and personal contribution to strengthening international security and practical assistance to Ukraine, in particular, for the next 18th aid package to Ukraine, which will be approved by the Finnish Government this week.
The parties also discussed further defence assistance and Ukraine’s European integration.
“We hope that Ukraine’s aspirations to become a country of the European Union will be appreciated and that at the end of this year we will start negotiations on full membership in the EU,” said the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine. He also assured that the President of Ukraine, the Parliament of Ukraine, and the Government of Ukraine are doing everything to ensure that Ukraine fulfils all seven recommendations received after gaining the status of a candidate for the EU membership.
Ruslan Stefanchuk emphasised that he counts on Finland’s active involvement in building a consensus on Ukraine’s invitation to join the North Atlantic Alliance: “After all, NATO membership is a strategic goal of Ukraine.” “We are ready to follow you on this path. We are ready to profess the principles and priorities that would enable us to be successful on this path,” the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine said.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also stressed the importance of implementing the Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, expressing gratitude for Finland’s strong support for the initiative.
“It is extremely important for us to start talking about reformatting the global security system. Because both we and you have such a fierce neighbour. And we know it like no other. Therefore, it is together that we must be active participants in this transformation,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk.
“Your struggle is a struggle for our common values. These are the values of liberal democracy. And our common goal is to prevent putin from winning,” said Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, for his part.