The First Vice-Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko met with the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Joelle Garriaud-Maylam
06 February 2023, 13:39
The First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienkotook part in a working meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Interparliamentary Council with the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Joelle Garriaud-Maylam.
“The enemy who attacked us and whom we are fighting continues to deny our legitimacy as a sovereign state and maintains its goals,” the First Vice Speaker emphasized, adding that russia is trying to destroy Ukrainian statehood, in particular, by attacking civilians and critical infrastructure.
Oleksandr Korniienko emphasized that Ukraine welcomes the “tank coalition” finally created after the major decisions taken by the United States and Germany: “We expect that the number of countries joining this coalition will continue to grow. Weapons are not charity, but security.” He added that Ukraine is grateful for all the decisions and resolutions in support of Ukraine and against russian aggression.
“It is strange to see how the terrorist state continues to enter the international arena,” emphasized Oleksandr Korniienko, expressing hope for a proper response from the world. “While the enemy is killing, we want to save lives. As long as the enemy creates genocide, we continue the “grain initiative”. While the enemy is launching missiles, we are asking for air defense systems and weapons to defend ourselves,” the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine said during the meeting.
At the same time, he emphasized that Ukraine’s struggle is ongoing and will continue “until the occupiers are on Ukrainian soil and Ukraine regains its own.” “Our land, our territories, our people. They took ours. And we are fighting for ours.”
In conclusion, the First Vice Speaker, in light of the upcoming meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Luxembourg in May 2023, called on the participants to support three issues. First, Ukraine’s accession to the Alliance when conditions allow. Second, the further implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula. Third, the establishment of a special tribunal for war crimes committed by the russian federation.
“I am sincerely grateful to my colleagues for this meeting on the territory of Ukraine, in Kyiv. This is an important signal for us. And together we will win,” Oleksandr Korniienko summarized.
For reference. The meeting was also attended by MPs of Ukraine: Halyna Mykhailiuk, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Law Enforcement, Oleksii Zhmerenetskyi, Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Anti-Corruption Policy in the Field of Digital Innovation and Public Data of the Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy, Olha Rudenko, Member of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Solomiya Bobrovska, Member of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, and Olena Kovalchuk, Chairperson of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the European Union.