The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk speaks at the panel discussion “Return to democratic order: the role of parliaments in war”
18 February 2023, 21:45
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk together with the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America Nancy Pelosi took part in the panel discussion “Return to Democratic Order: The Role of Parliaments in War” at the Munich Security Conference:
The main message we are addressing to the whole world today. Here are a few key points that we are discussing with our colleagues and will continue to discuss here at the Munich Security Conference.
First, the supply of weapons to Ukraine. Ukraine can win this war if it has modern weapons, and it must have them immediately. There is an expression in Ukraine: “For yesterday”. And when people ask us when we need these weapons, we say: “For yesterday”. Because time has already passed, and we really want our colleagues’ decisions to be as quick as their assurances of support for Ukraine.
I would like to quote the words of Winston Churchill, who once said: “Give us the tools and we will finish the job”. And so Ukraine is asking for the tools we have: Air defense, long-range missiles, tanks and aircraft.
Secondly, the block we are discussing with our colleagues is the issue of strengthening the sanctions policy. The tenth package of sanctions will soon be in place. We are grateful to our partners for being so active in sanctions policy. But if russia still has the economic capacity to continue the war, then sanctions are not working somewhere. Our task today is to analyze where they are not working. And to work on the mistakes. Sanctions can only be called sanctions when they cannot be circumvented by other countries, when the economic pain of these sanctions is tangible and causes the aggression to stop. russia has no place next to the G7, or in the G20, or in the UN Security Council, or at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. russia, like a virus, should be isolated and quarantined.
Third, the issue of compensation for the damage caused to Ukraine. Because this is part of justice. russia should be responsible for the great damage caused to Ukraine.
Fourth, the recognition of the russian regime as a terrorist regime. It is very important for us to call a spade a spade. We call war a war, and a terrorist country a terrorist country. Without any euphemisms or other forms. Because it is honest and clear.
Fifthly, we demand justice in terms of establishing a special tribunal against russia. It must also bear legal responsibility. Not only defeat on the battlefield, but also legal responsibility in international institutions, it must be recognized as a criminal and punished for these crimes.
Sixthly, what we are talking about with you and our colleagues is the implementation of the peace formula of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi. This is a universal formula that will soon become an axiom rather than a theorem. It should be accepted by the whole world, supported by the whole world, because this is the way to the fastest victory.
Finally, there is the issue of Ukraine’s accession to the EU and NATO. This is a big priority for us. Ukraine already has the status of a candidate country for accession to the European Union. Ukraine wants to start its progress towards NATO as well. We are looking forward to the Vilnius summit. We want to receive an invitation to join NATO and start full-fledged negotiations.
Today, the whole world has been telling us for almost a year how proud it is of Ukraine. It’s time for Ukraine to tell the world how proud it is of the support and our common victory. So, thank you for this invitation and Glory to Ukraine!