In the framework of the NATO Parliamentary Speakers' Summit, which is taking place on 9 July in Washington, DC, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk met with the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana and the President of the Italian Senate Ignazio La Russa.
During the meeting with Lorenzo Fontana, the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament informed his colleague about the consequences of the russian attack on Ukraine on 8 July, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of civilians.
Ruslan Stefanchuk emphasised that with yesterday's attack, putin had challenged the entire civilised world. "And the world must give a decisive response to this," he stressed.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine focused on the issue of strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities. Ruslan Stefanchuk called on the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy to continue supporting Ukraine, especially in the area of defence. "Ukraine must have enough weapons to defend itself. Our Armed Forces need additional air defence systems and missiles. Ukraine also needs long-range missiles," said the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament.
He also noted that Ukraine's aspiration to become a full member of NATO remains unchanged. "We expect the NATO Summit to take decisions that will bring Ukraine closer to the Alliance," Ruslan Stefanchuk stressed.
At a meeting with the President of the Italian Senate Ignazio La Russa, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked Italy for its unwavering, consistent support of Ukraine and solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
The parties also paid considerable attention to the security situation, the consequences of russian armed aggression and the destruction caused by russian terrorists' shelling.