«The desire for development is something that unites everyone in an increasingly polarised and divided world. It is also a complex process that requires concentration of resources and coordinated actions to deliver significant results,» he said. Oleksandr Korniienko also added that the last decades of international development since the 1990s are characterised by the concept of people-centred development, an approach actively supported by UNDP and Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen.
At the same time, the First Vice-Speaker noted: no people-centred development is possible where people are suffering from war or unprovoked aggression. A recent example of the threats that make people-centred development impossible was the russian attack on a residential area in Kryvyi Rih on 4 April 2025, which killed 20 people, including 9 children.
«Such atrocities happen every week and are genuinely shocking. But Ukraine remains committed to international law and diplomacy. In March, Ukraine agreed to a full and unconditional ceasefire. Unfortunately, russia's response is written in the blood of innocent civilians, as their attacks have only intensified in recent weeks,» Oleksandr Kornienko said.
He also said that the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiga is initiating an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council and an extraordinary meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council.
The First Vice-Speaker highlighted that a series of joint actions by the international community could persuade russia to stop the hostilities. In particular, it is about:
- supporting Ukraine with military assistance to enable the state to effectively defend its territory;
- providing financial and humanitarian support to strengthen the resilience of Ukrainian society;
- strengthening the sanctions policy against russia to prevent it from avoiding responsibility for its aggression;
- joining the Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and the mechanism of compensation for victims of aggression to restore justice.
«I believe this Assembly will create a basis for action-oriented cooperation to force russia to end the war. I am grateful to the President of Uzbekistan for his speech yesterday, in which he expressed his strong support for Ukraine,» the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada remarked.
Oleksandr Kornienko thanked every country that supports Ukraine: «I want to thank everyone who stands by Ukraine - in Africa, Asia, Europe and America. We can stop this war very quickly, but everyone should ask themselves what they are doing to stop it».
In conclusion, he drew the attention of the world's parliaments to the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people. «While Ukraine is combating this aggression, we continue to develop. Our economy is gradually recovering. The whole world admires our success in digital transformation. Our Grain from Ukraine initiative is helping to prevent hunger in many developing countries where the russian war has previously created food shortages. With your support, we will be able to convince russia to accept our offer of unconditional peace and finally be able to double social development and restore justice,» the First Vice Speaker concluded.