The speakers discussed issues of further defence support for Ukraine, strengthening of sanctions against the russian federation, as well as Ukraine’s further progress towards the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
First of all, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expressed his gratitude for personal leadership and contribution to the formation of Finland’s strong support for Ukraine – political, military, financial and humanitarian, as well as a personal appeal to the factions of the Finnish Parliament to recognise the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide of the Ukrainian people.
“From the first hours of 24 February 2022, Finland has demonstrated solidarity with Ukraine. And it has remained side by side with the Ukrainian people for all 18 months of the full-scale war,” Ruslan Stefanchuk said.
The parties also discussed further defence support for Ukraine. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine noted that Ukraine needs further military assistance, outlining the needs of the Security and Defence Forces.
“Together we must make sure that russia understands that waging war is extremely painful,” said the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine, calling on Finland to continue to strengthen sanctions against the russian federation.
In addition, Ruslan Stefanchuk thanked the EU for supporting Ukraine on its path to the European Union. “We have already been granted candidate status in the EU and we very much hope that at the end of this year we will receive an agreement to negotiate full membership,” he added. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed that Ukraine counts on Finland’s assistance in the process of further European integration both bilaterally and within the EU.
“Finland’s support for Ukraine’s accelerated movement towards NATO membership is also important,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk, stressing that Ukraine is persistently moving in this direction: “Ukraine’s accession to NATO will strengthen the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation just as Finland’s accession did.”
In conclusion, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked the President, the Parliament and the Government of Finland for supporting the Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi.