First of all, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine congratulated his colleague on his election.
During the videoconference, the parties discussed a number of important issues, including the strengthening of sanctions pressure against the russian federation. Ruslan Stefanchuk thanked North Macedonia for its support of all EU sanctions against russia.
In addition, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine paid attention to all the atrocities committed by russia on Ukrainian soil. Ruslan Stefanchuk called for facilitating the process of recognising russia as a terrorist state. “I am counting on North Macedonia's continued firm support for the need to isolate russia in international organisations,” he added.
The heads of parliaments also discussed the issue of European integration. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expressed his belief that both Ukraine and North Macedonia should be in the European Union by all criteria: “And the task of our parliaments is to implement all the necessary legislative changes.”
At the same time, Ruslan Stefanchuk expressed his gratitude for North Macedonia's support of the Peace Formula proposed by the President of Ukraine.
“Our countries have an active political dialogue and successful cooperation of inter-parliamentary friendship groups and committees,” said the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, adding that it is important to maintain and strengthen this direction.
The Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine also expressed his personal gratitude for the assistance and participation of Jovan Mitreski in the opening of the exhibition “Ukraine remembers – the world recognises!” dedicated to the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine on 24 November 2022 in the Macedonian Assembly.
During the conversation, Ruslan Stefanchuk noted that since November 2022, the parliaments of a number of European countries and the European Parliament have adopted resolutions on the Holodomor, recognising it as genocide or a crime against the Ukrainian people. He asked for Jovan Mitreski's personal assistance in recognising by North Macedonia the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine as genocide against the Ukrainian people.
Finally, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked North Macedonia for its consistent support of Ukraine and all Ukrainian initiatives, as well as for the practical assistance provided in confronting the aggressor state.