“This is the right of the Ukrainian state and the Ukrainian people to defend themselves,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze replied to those, concerned about the use of “Bayraktar”

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU and Vadym Halaichuk, First Deputy Chair of the Committee, took part in a meeting of members of the Verkhovna Rada Committees with a delegation of the NATO International Secretariat headed by Florian Enke, Adviser on Political and Security Policy.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze thanked the North Atlantic Alliance continued support of Ukraine in the conflict, started by: “During the seven years of the Russian-Ukrainian war, NATO is a key international institution that calls a spade a spade. And I think we have an understanding that we have common goals and common threats”. At the same time, the Chair of the Committee expressed concern at the statements of some NATO members regarding the recent use of the Bayraktar drone by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. “It is the right of Ukrainian state and Ukrainian people to protect themselves. Ukraine has clearly demonstrated that it carefully adheres to the terms of the Minsk agreements, although it is not easy,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said.

Florian Enke reaffirmed the solidarity of the NATO with Ukraine. He also expressed support for the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine. Mr. Enke noted important steps towards the implementation of judicial reform, in particular, the adoption of a bill that ensures the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine. At the same time, he stressed the importance of adopting an anti-corruption strategy and reforming the Security Service of Ukraine as soon as possible.

The Chair of the Committee drew the attention of the International Secretariat to NATO delegation to important processes within the country that need careful monitoring. This applies in particular to judicial reform. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze welcomed the adoption of bills that finally unblocked the reform, but noted that Ukraine had lost two important years when the reform was halted: “We are already feeling the effects of the inaction we have seen over the past two years. I hope that the anti-corruption procedures provided for in the recently adopted bills, will work quickly”.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze also touched upon the situation around the National Bank of Ukraine. According to her, the independence of this key financial institution is now under threat. And the situation around the National Bank needs careful monitoring not only within Ukraine, but also by international partners.

Regarding further support from NATO member states, the Chair of the Committee noted that Ukraine needs the maximum participation of Allies in attracting new members and expanding the Crimean Platform. This is an important format that returns the issue of Crimea to the highest levels of the international agenda, and the participation of countries from all continents, according to Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, is extremely important.