At the beginning of the meeting, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, emphasized the significance of the occasion: «Today, we have the opportunity to reflect on those pivotal events together with the individuals who made this historic decision. Such meetings are not only a chance to express our gratitude for their work but also a reminder that our freedom and sovereignty are deeply rooted in history,» he stated.
He further underlined the historical importance of the Declaration for the Ukrainian state: «This Declaration affirmed the right of the Ukrainian people to independently determine and pursue their domestic and foreign policy. It laid the foundation for our independence and enshrined the principles of Ukrainian statehood,» Ruslan Stefanchuk added.
He also stressed the importance of granting a special status to the Members of Parliament who were instrumental in restoring Ukraine's independence: «I believe we will find a way to ensure that these individuals receive special recognition. This is my personal priority,» said the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
He reminded attendees that a corresponding draft law was registered back in 2021, and cited Lithuania as an example, where such a status is enshrined in legislation: «There is never a wrong time to thank those who did everything to establish Ukrainian statehood,» Ruslan Stefanchuk concluded.
During the meeting, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine presented commemorative awards of the Verkhovna Rada to the Members of the First Convocation and expressed his deep gratitude for their principled stance and unwavering commitment to Ukraine.
In turn, the First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Oleksandr Korniienko, emphasized the importance of preserving historical memory through the establishment of a museum or Statehood Center: «Many parliaments around the world house collections of artifacts that mark the formation of their statehood. We are also working in this direction — including the creation of an educational center, so that children from an early age understand the essence of parliamentarism,» he noted, adding that the experience of the First Convocation Members of Parliament would be invaluable in this endeavor.
Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk expressed gratitude for the foundation laid in the 1990s and highlighted the importance of ensuring the irreversibility of Ukraine’s European path: «We must fully complete our path to European integration and break away from ambiguous narratives linked to the russian federation. Thanks to your efforts, the state-building process within the European tradition began — and we will continue that legacy,» she stated.
«It is also important to engage young people — who are becoming increasingly disinterested in politics — through internships in Parliament and direct dialogue with the Members of the First Convocation. We must maintain a living connection between today’s youth and our nation’s founders,» she emphasized.