Ruslan Stefanchuk: I hope that Spain will support the initiative to establish a Special Tribunal in the case of the crime of aggression against Ukraine
25 May 2022, 15:01
During a telephone conversation, the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, invited the Chairman of the Congress of Deputies of Spain, Merichel Batet Lamagna, to visit Kyiv.
Ruslan Stefanchuk noted the high dynamics of the development of inter-parliamentary dialogue with Spain and expressed hope for further active cooperation. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada spoke about the need to increase the supply of modern heavy weapons and strengthen sanctions against Russia.
"I ask you to increase this pressure by adopting the 6th package of sanctions as soon as possible, to significantly reduce Russia's ability to finance the war against Ukraine," Ruslan Stefanchuk said.
The head of the Ukrainian parliament also called on the Cortes General of Spain to allow the transfer of frozen assets of Russian oligarchs for the reconstruction of Ukraine and to deprive Putin and Medvedev of high awards from the Spanish Senate and Congress.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada expressed gratitude for the decision of the Spanish Government to send Spanish experts to Ukraine to collect evidence of Russian war crimes for the International Tribunal.
"I hope that Spain will support the initiative to establish a Special Tribunal in the case of the crime of aggression against Ukraine, which will complement the work of the International Criminal Court," said Ruslan Stefanchuk.
The Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine thanked Spain for providing asylum to Ukrainian citizens and supporting Ukraine's European integration aspirations. Ruslan Stefanchuk hopes that Spain will support granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership at the European Council in June.
"I would like to ask the Spanish parliament to support and lobby for this process, in particular by adopting a resolution. I ask you, Ms. Merichel Batet, to become the Parliamentary Ambassador of Ukraine's European Integration, "Ruslan Stefanchuk urged.
For her part, the Speaker of the Spanish Congress of Deputies assured her that Ukraine can count on Spain.
"We and our government will continue to support all sanctions, we will try to make them effective and as painful as possible," said Mericel Batet Lamagna.
She added that Spain will support Ukraine, and its army, provide institutional support, receive refugees, and help treat military and civilian hospitals in Spain.
"We want both of our chambers to be at the forefront of Ukraine's struggle against this aggression. The European Community must have one position. We need to forget about differences and unite against Putin. This will be our main strength, "said the Speaker of the Spanish Congress of Deputies.
Mericel Batet Lamanya thanked Ruslan Stefanchuk for the invitation to visit Kyiv and said that the proposal was well received.
"And we must be with you - from the first day until the end, to end this war, this aggression, especially - attacks, deaths, human rights violations," - said the Speaker of the Congress of Spanish Deputies.