The chair of the Verkhovna Rada is invited by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to the European Parliament in Strasbourg for the plenary session. Before addressing MEPs, Ruslan STEFANCHUK and Roberta METSOLA hold a joint press conference.

EU - Ukraine (T)

troubles in Ukraine (T)

press conference

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

STEFANTCHOUK, Rouslan

Ukraine's application for EU membership (T)

Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the EP, Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and my dear friend Ruslan Stefanchuk in the European Parliament where we will have in a few minutes a very important debate in plenary about the current situation in Ukraine. This comes two months after I addressed the Verkhovna Rada on invitation of Ruslan, and it is now our turn to host you in our home, which is the seat of European democracy here in Strasbourg.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the EP, We will also hold today the 14th EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee meeting. I know how difficult it was for President Stefanchuck to leave Ukraine at this precarious time. This courageous decision confirms the strong connexion that our two institutions share and the Verkhovna Rada will always find an ally in the European Parliament. Allow me to make two short points before giving the floor to President Stefanchuk.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the EP, It has been over three months since Putin launched his illegal war on Ukraine. The European Union has sent military, financial, political and humanitarian support. And we will continue to support Ukraine and its people. We will not turn away or allow for war fatigue to set in. Secondly, the European Parliament will continue to actively support Ukraine in the process of applying for EU candidate status. This Parliament's position is clear. Ukraine's place, your place, dear president, is within our European family. Welcome. The floor is yours.

SOUNDBITE (Ukranian), Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada), Distinguished Madam President Metsola. Dear Roberta, if I can call you that, distinguished journalists. First of all, I would like to thank the President of the European Parliament, who is a huge friend of Ukraine, Madame Metsola, for everything she does to support Ukraine. I am very thankful to you personally, Madame President, for your bravery, for your decisive actions.

SOUNDBITE (Ukranian), Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada), I would like to remind you that president Metsola was one of the first European politicians that offered assistance to Ukraine, and she was one of the first who arrived on April 1st to the city of Kiev to address the Ukrainian parliament. At the same time, it was still a very dangerous situation in Ukraine that cruise missiles were thrown against the cities of Ukraine. A lot were hitting the towns around Kiev, but you were addressing Verkhovna Rada. I am very, very thankful for that. And I would like to convey the warm regards from the members of Ukrainian parliament. It was a great honour for us.

SOUNDBITE (Ukranian), Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada), Today, I would like to tell you that I am now on a working visit through the countries of the European Union, and my goal is to convince these countries that Ukraine is worth to be given the EU candidate status. And I would like to thank the European Parliament because Parliament was one of the first who supported Ukraine in this actions and is worth this status.

SOUNDBITE (Ukranian), Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada), Also, I would like to thank the European Parliament for their support, not only regarding the political decisions. There were a lot taken in favour of Ukraine, but also regarding the practical help and assistance to Ukraine. We needed a lot of technical materials and computer assistance and first of all, we were given a place to have the Ukrainian hub in Brussels. From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank you, because friendship is not only in words, but also, you know, who is your real friend and their actions.

SOUNDBITE (Ukranian), Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada), So on behalf of the Ukrainian parliament, I would like to thank you for that. The European Parliament very clearly has spoken to the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian people reacted to that. Based on the situation of today, 91% of Ukrainians support the access of Ukraine to the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (Ukranian), Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada), In this unprecedented issue, I think you would not find more fanatic people than our people with regard to this issue because they are losing their lives, they are losing their way or life, they are fighting for values and principles that are important for each and every European and for the unification of Europe. That's why, distinguished madam President, yet again, I would like to thank the European Parliament and today during my address to the European Parliament, I would like to ask the representatives of all countries who are members of the European Parliament to do everything possible that on the June 24th, Ukraine will hear the strong yes for Ukraine's accession.

SOUNDBITE (Ukranian), Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada), And it will be a huge political impetuous for all Ukrainians that all that they're doing, all that they are countering for their liberty is not in vain. It's very important. The European Parliament always has been and is the strong voice of a united Europe, and I hope that this voice will sound now together with Europe, because Ukraine is Europe. Again, I would like to thank you for your invitation. Thank you for this opportunity to be here within the walls of the European Parliament and talk to you on behalf of the Ukrainian people, because Ukrainians are a part of European people. Thank you. Glory to Ukraine.

Q&amp;A Question regarding whether there will be support from the EP for Georgia's and Moldova's people the prospective to join the European Union.

Q&amp;A Question for president Metsola regarding Ukraine's time of accession to the EU and question for the chairman of the Ucranian Parliament on his potential reaction towards a possible rejection from the EU the 24th of June.

Q&amp;A Question for Metsola and Stefanchuk regarding the time that it would take for Ukraine to meet all the criteria to join the EU and whether the process could be accelerated.