Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, held a meeting in Strasbourg with Walter Rosenkranz, President of the Austrian National Council, and Andrea Eder-Hitstaller, President of the Federal Council. The meeting focused on humanitarian initiatives, support for affected Ukrainians and international efforts to return illegally deported Ukrainian citizens.
Ruslan Stefanchuk called for increased pressure on russia to return abducted Ukrainian children and civilians. «russia illegally detains more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians, including thousands of children. I encourage Austria to more actively join international initiatives aimed at their return,» he said.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked Austria for its support of Ukrainian refugees. «Austria provides our citizens with accommodation, medical care and education - and this is not just humanitarian aid, but true solidarity,» he stressed.
Ruslan Stefanchuk noted that these initiatives are not only support for Ukraine, but also strengthening of European values. He thanked the Austrian people for their help and humanitarian solidarity in this difficult time for Ukraine.