Ruslan Stefanchuk: An unequivocal "yes" for Ukraine at the EU summit will be a gesture of support for Ukrainians who defend democracy at the forefront
19 June 2022, 19:52
The Parliament of Ukraine appeals to the EU member states and its institutions to support granting Ukraine the status of a candidate country for accession to the EU at the summit on June 23-24. The relevant resolution №7471 was adopted today during the plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. "For" – 315 deputies.
"This is a unique opportunity that Ukraine has been pursuing for decades. Having voted for this resolution, we declared to the whole world that the Parliament of Ukraine calls on the EU member states and its institutions on June 23-24, four months after the beginning of this shameful war, to give prospects to our EU membership," Ruslan Stefanchuk said.
According to him, supporting Ukraine's European integration aspirations is closing the door to the aggressor and leaving the hopeless past behind.
"Whole generations fought for a chance to escape from the prison of the Soviet Union and, like a free bird, fly to European civilization. Today, the common Ukrainian dream is at hand! An unequivocal "yes" for Ukraine at the EU summit will be a strong gesture of support for Ukrainians who are now defending democracy at the forefront," the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament stressed.
The resolution adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also identifies the most critical areas of support that Ukraine needs now. In particular:
- taking the necessary measures to unblock Ukrainian ports,
- investigation and punishment of perpetrators of war crimes,
- increase the supply of weapons,
- strengthening of sanctions against russia and belarus, in particular – introduction of the 7th package of EU sanctions.