European Parliament President in Kyiv to pledge EU solidarity

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola yesterday visited Kyiv to express the European Union’s support for the Ukrainian people and condemn the unjustified Russian attack.

She travelled on the invitation of the Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

“I am here to tell you that we are with you, in good times and in difficult times. We will never ever leave your side,” Metsola said, addresing the Rada.

“To me, to Europe, to the world, Ukrainian people are heros; you are fighting for what we all believe in: freedom, democracy, the rule of law. Without these values, there is nothing else,” she said.

Roberta Metsola made three promises to the Members of the Ukrainian Rada.

First, the European Parliament President said Europe would not let this aggression unchallenged: “Those responsible will be held accountable for what they have committed here. We need more and harder sanctions.”

She also confirmed the support of the European Parliament to Ukraine’s aspiration to become a candidate for EU accession: “Ukraine is Europe; more than ever before, Ukraine looks to the EU as its destination.”

Finally, Metsola promised that “we will take care of the Ukrainian families that have been forced to flee until the day they can safely return to their homes”. She added the EU would “create the Ukraine Solidarity Trust Fund and organise an International Donors Conference to help rebuild Ukraine”.

During her stay in Kyiv, Metsola met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Chairman of the Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, and representatives of the political groups of the Rada, among others.

(photo: Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk greets EP President Roberta Metsola in Kyiv on 2 April)

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