The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine held a videoconference with the President of the German Bundestag Baerbel Bass
10 February 2023, 12:55
At the beginning of the conversation, Ruslan Stefanchuk expressed his sincere gratitude for the support that Ukraine and the Ukrainian Parliament feel from the German people and German politicians in the fight against the russian aggressor. In particular, he emphasized the leading role of the Head of the Bundestag in strengthening interparliamentary relations and cooperation between parliaments.
The Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine emphasized that the beginning of this year was marked by significant positive developments in the Ukrainian-German dialogue, especially in the area of arms supplies, where Germany has taken a leading position and become an example for other countries.
“Today, German weapons are saving lives of Ukrainian people. The German IRIS system shoots down missiles aimed at us, and the supply of Leopard tanks will allow us to liberate Ukrainian territories and our people from russian occupation. But in order to stop the revenge that russia is preparing, we need even more urgent supplies of weapons from our allies,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk.
The Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament also thanked his German colleagues for the Bundestag’s recognition of the Holodomor of 1932-33 as genocide of the Ukrainian people and called on them to join Ukraine’s initiative to establish a special tribunal to bring russian war criminals to justice.
“Germany’s participation in this process is crucial in terms of its unique experience. We will continue to cooperate in this direction with your government and academic centers of international law. We need more political attention to this issue, which goes beyond legal technocracy and touches upon universal themes, such as the struggle for justice, freedom, and human rights,” Ruslan Stefanchuk emphasized and once again called on the Bundestag to adopt a cross-party resolution to support the establishment of a special tribunal, which would be “a timely and important message not only for russia, but for the entire democratic world.”
The parties also discussed Germany’s support for Ukraine’s European integration. In particular, the Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine noted that the process of Ukraine’s membership has moved to the stage of implementation of recommendations and further evaluation, and it is important to maintain political, media and public interest and support for Ukraine’s goal in Europe and Germany in particular.
Ruslan Stefanchuk also raised the topic of Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic progress, as NATO membership is our strategic goal.
“We can no longer remain in the “gray zone” of security between NATO and russia. Such an uncertain status made russian aggression possible in 2014 and 2022 and may provoke it again. It is Ukraine’s accession to NATO that is a key factor in peace and stability in Ukraine and a guarantee of security for the world in the future,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized.
For her part, the President of the Bundestag Baerbel Bas emphasized that Germany understands that Ukraine is also defending European values in this war, which is why it is ready to continue supporting us on the path of a difficult struggle against the invader.
“If we can help and support you in any other way, we are ready to do so. As for Ukraine’s future membership in the EU and the establishment of a special tribunal, we are ready to do so. These issues are already being actively discussed in our committees. This is very important for us,” emphasized Baerbel Bass during the meeting.