Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met with Francina Armengol, President of the Congress of Deputies of the Kingdom of Spain, who arrived in Kyiv on the first-ever bilateral visit to Ukraine by the Speaker of the lower house of the Spanish Parliament.
Ruslan Stefanchuk thanked Spain for its comprehensive support for Ukraine — political, defence, humanitarian, and financial. He also separately noted all the decisions adopted by the Congress of Deputies of Spain in support of Ukraine since 2022.
“Each such document is a powerful signal of unity, determination, and commitment to the protection of freedom and international law,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed.
During the meeting, the parties discussed strengthening Ukrainian air defence, developing joint production with Ukraine, European integration, sanctions pressure on russia, the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression, and the return of Ukrainian children deported or forcibly transferred by russia.
Particular attention was also paid to cooperation with the Ibero-American community. According to Ruslan Stefanchuk, strengthening relations with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean is one of Ukraine’s important priorities, while the role of Spain in this direction is of special significance.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also raised the issue of recognising the 1944 deportation of the Crimean Tatar people as an act of genocide. He recalled that on May 18 Ukraine will commemorate the victims of this crime, and stressed that the support of international partners in restoring historical justice is extremely important.
Ruslan Stefanchuk thanked Francina Armengol for the visit, sincere support for Ukraine, and readiness to deepen interparliamentary cooperation between the two states.
“Spain has been and remains an important friend of Ukraine,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasised.