The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk met with a delegation of the National Endowment for Democracy headed by the President and Executive Director of the Foundation Damon Wilson
21 June 2024, 18:12
First of all, during the meeting, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine expressed gratitude for all the efforts of the National Endowment for Democracy in assisting civil society, media and human rights defenders in Ukraine in the face of russian aggression.
At the same time, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine noted the leadership of the United States and the importance of all the assistance – financial, humanitarian, defence – provided by the United States to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion. “Ukraine appreciates the support of U.S. President Joseph Biden, the U.S. Congress and the entire American people,” Ruslan Stefanchuk said. “Every act of support, every cent, every resolution passed or decision supported is very important for Ukraine,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk.
He also stressed that the Ukrainian Parliament pays great attention to cooperation with the US Congress. “Bipartisan support for Ukraine is important to us, and we appreciate it very much. In this aspect, we are interested in working with the National Endowment for Democracy to expand cooperation with the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. And we appreciate every voice in support of Ukraine,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also noted the importance of signing a truly ambitious security agreement between Ukraine and the United States. “We are ready to continue our cooperation in terms of sanctions pressure, in terms of ensuring the work of the international compensation mechanism, in terms of establishing a special tribunal against the russian federation, in terms of everything that will be aimed at restoring international law and international order,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk, expressing his gratitude to the United States for participating in the first Global Peace Summit.
The parties also discussed Ukraine’s urgent defence needs – “everything that will help protect Ukrainian lives in Ukrainian cities”: “Therefore, Ukraine’s priority is additional air defence systems and missiles for them, artillery systems, drones.”
Finally, the parties discussed the importance of reconstruction. “Every day russia destroys critical infrastructure, residential buildings, schools, kindergartens and hospitals. That is why reconstruction is needed now,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk.