Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

During the meeting, the parties discussed the political situation in Ukraine, counteraction to Russian aggression, situation around the completion of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline, as well as Ukraine's cooperation with the EU in the framework of the Eastern Partnership.

The French colleagues noted that this visit to Ukraine will help them better understand the political situation in our country and the problems Ukraine is facing.

The Chair of the Committee thanked the French side for its constant and consistent support of Ukraine, its sovereignty and independence, as well as for the efforts that President Macron was taking in the Normandy format. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze informed her French colleagues that the situation at the Ukrainian-Russian border remains extremely dangerous, as Russia, despite statements, had not withdrawn its additional troops located near Ukraine recently. Moreover, now another point of threat, according to the Chair of the Committee, is at the territory of Belarus, where joint military exercises are being held with Russia. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze also drew the attention of the French delegation to the need to oppose the completion of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline: “For the Russian Federation, Nord Stream-2 is not an economic or financial project. This is a powerful geopolitical lever that the Kremlin will use not only against Ukraine but against the whole Europe. I am convinced that we can still stop its completion and commissioning”.

French National Assembly member Pierre Person said that the French delegation's visit to Ukraine was a kind of message of support for Ukraine: “France has always consistently defended the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, so you can continue to count on our support in the National Assembly and presidential majority, which is currently in the French Parliament. We are on the side of Ukraine and its people”.

Mr. Person also said that during his visit to Ukraine, the French delegation should get acquainted with the situation in Ukraine, and then tell about it to colleagues in the National Assembly, as well as the media, and through them - to French people. Tell about all those aspects of Russian aggression that continues on the territory of Ukraine and the Ukrainian-Russian border. “Tomorrow, my colleagues and I will be in Mariupol to see how Ukraine resists Russian aggression, to express our support for the Ukrainian military and to express France's solidarity with Ukraine”, - Pierre Person said.

The Chair of the Committee also stressed the importance of updating the format of the Eastern Partnership. According to Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, such an update is necessary, especially taking into account the events in Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as threats from Russia. “At the next Eastern Partnership summit, we would like to hear from the EU countries a clear position on the associated trio - Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. Our countries have not just unanimously declared their ambitions for EU membership. We are ready to consistently do our homework to achieve concrete result”, - the Chair of the Committee concluded.