Oleksandr Korniienko: We call on the Inter-Parliamentary Union to exclude russia immediately
13 October 2022, 15:27
Madam President, honourable Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen
,
The topic of today's debate is very important: Gender equality and gender-sensitive parliaments as drivers of change for a more resilient and peaceful world.As a deputy and party leader who defended gender quotas for elections to local self-government two years ago, I have a lot to say about this. Thanks to that straightforward decision, for two years now our local councils have been almost evenly composed of representatives of both genders. That makes local politics less corrupt and more people-oriented.
There are 20% of women in the 9th convocation Verkhovna Rada, the Parliament of Ukraine. Still, a long way to achieve gender parity; but there were only 2.5% of women in the first convocation of the Rada. What I’m trying to say is that gender equality in representative bodies does matter. The society as a whole benefits from equality and diversity.
This is the right way to a peaceful world.
But let me ask you a rhetorical question: are we doing everything for peace and stability all over the world right now?
My answer is NO, because i`m from Ukraine and right now a terrible war is taking place in my country. The russian aggression against my country does not leave me and every Ukrainian in this hall and in this world the opportunity to discuss anything beside it.
Today, almost seven months after the adoption of the Emergency Resolution 144 of the IPU Assembly on Ukraine, Russia demonstrates complete unwillingness to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict. The Russian escalation must be met with a tough global response. Ukraine calls on the entire world and international organizations to immediately condemn the illegal actions of the Kremlin and further isolate Russia, as it has shown extreme disrespect to all those who called for a diplomatic settlement.
russian parliamentarians, who unanimously voted just weeks ago to ratify the annexation of the our Ukrainian territories, do not deserve to stay in this honorable assembly. Therefore, we call on the IPU to immediately expel the russian representatives.
Let me be clear: Ukraine will not agree to any proposals regarding a temporary truce, demilitarization, disbandment of troops, etc. russia will only use them to accumulate forces and resume aggression. Instead, we must ensure the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from the sovereign territory of Ukraine. Ukrainian citizens see this as the only option for ending the war.
6 million refugees inside and outside of Ukraine, food crisis, energy crisis, inflation and the threat of recession - that's what Russia is doing to the whole world.
However, this was not enough for Russia, and now it is conducting nuclear blackmail of the entire world community. They have long used irresponsible nuclear rhetoric as a means to blackmail and scare partners away from supporting Ukraine. The world should not succumb to Russian blackmail. On the contrary, it is necessary to strengthen support for Ukraine. The Kremlin must understand that its nuclear blackmail is not working.
Today, in these difficult moments for Ukraine and the world, each country has a clear choice: to join the support of Ukraine, thus supporting the forces of good and light, or remaining indifferent to our misfortune, continue to throw firewood on the fire of terrible crimes that are going on right now in Ukraine.
Now, before parliamentarians of more than 100 countries, I want to say in conclusion only one: we can win peace and development only together. Thank you for your time and attention!
