01 June 2023, 15:54
“The Summit of NATO Parliamentary Speakers is an opportunity to send a powerful signal about the importance of Ukraine’s accession to NATO,” said the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk during a meeting with Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen.
The parties discussed a number of important issues, including Ukraine’s future membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and progress towards the European Union, continuation of sanctions pressure against russia and bringing it to justice, returning to Ukraine all children illegally taken to russia, compensation for losses and reconstruction of Ukraine.
“In a month’s time, at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, we want to hear a clear and understandable plan for Ukraine’s further movement towards membership. We want to hear that Ukraine’s application for membership is accepted,” stressed Ruslan Stefanchuk.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine told his colleague about Ukraine’s implementation of the European Commission’s recommendations: “I expect that in June we will receive a proper assessment from the European Union.”
“For Ukraine, it is important not only to win this war, but also to have a just peace,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk, adding that the concept of a just peace includes certain components. First, it is the continuation of sanctions pressure against the russian federation: “The aggressor must suffer economic damage to make it very difficult for it to wage this war.” Secondly, it is a matter of putin and all the top military and political leadership receiving fair sentences in international institutions: “For Ukraine, it is important to create a special tribunal that would investigate the crime of aggression committed by russia against Ukraine.” Third, it is the return of all Ukrainians home, including children illegally deported to russia. “On the International Children’s Day, unfortunately, the terrorists demonstrated to the whole world how much they respect the lives of children,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk. He also expressed his personal gratitude to the Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania for her care for the return of all Ukrainian children home.
“It is necessary to develop a legal mechanism to
deprive the russian federation of its property,” the Speaker of the Parliament
said in the context of compensation and reconstruction of Ukraine. He added
that it should not be just a freezing of property, but also its transfer to
special funds from which the damage caused to Ukraine will be compensated.
In addition, he expressed gratitude for the support of the peace formula of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi.
“russia continues to behave like a terrorist state. The only thing that can stop russia is force. Ukraine is grateful that Lithuania has always been a leader in assisting Ukraine,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked Lithuania for its steady support and assistance – defence, financial, humanitarian and political.
For her part, the Speaker of the Seimas, Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, stressed that Lithuania supports the peace formula of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, as it is a plan for a just peace. She also noted that Lithuania stands firmly on the side of Ukraine in providing more weapons.