Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze and the Secretary of the Committee Valentyn Nalyvaichenko met with Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade, the Chair of the Committee on European Affairs of the National Assembly of France.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze thanked the French colleague for another visit to Ukraine and for all his efforts to ensure constant support of Ukraine from France. Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade is the author of the resolution of the French Parliament on the support of Ukraine. ‘I know how much effort it takes to talk not only with politicians, but also with the society and explain why Ukraine needs support. Thank you for this work and I hope that it will be continued, because Ukraine still needs help,’ said the Chair of the Committee.

The parties discussed the latest events in Ukraine. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze noted that currently a lot of hopes are placed on Ukraine's counteroffensive. ‘But we should not only count on the counteroffensive. Do not underestimate the Russian Federation. They have a large army, they can continue to produce weapons and use what they already have in stocks. The last two months — May and June — were difficult for civilians in Ukraine. Russians attack our cities with all possible types of weapons,’ said the Chair of the Committee. According to her, thanks to the support that Ukraine receives from its partners, it is now able to protect Kyiv, but, unfortunately, not all cities. ‘We need more Patriots, more air defence equipment, as well as shells and missiles for air defence and artillery systems. Prompt delivery is essential. The Russian Federation must understand that it will not stop us by destroying our cities and energy infrastructure. And we still need to repair damaged energy infrastructure before the start of the next heating season,’ added Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

She also stated that she is extremely concerned about the world's slow reaction to the terrible crime that the Russian Federation committed at the Kakhovska HPP by blowing up a dam. ‘The scale of this environmental crime, this man-made humanitarian disaster, in my opinion, is comparable to the use of tactical nuclear weapons. But I do not see specific steps of the West responding this crime. We requested the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine to provide a list of all damages that can be estimated now, but I think, we cannot yet comprehend the full scale of the tragedy,’ said the Chair of the Committee.

Secretary of the Committee Valentyn Nalyvaichenko also reminded his French colleague about numerous crimes committed by the Russian occupiers in Ukraine. He urged to work on the creation of a Special International Tribunal, which should bring to justice leaders of the Russian Federation for the crime of aggression, as well as all those guilty of war crimes in Ukraine.

Regarding European integration, the Chair of the Committee noted that Ukraine is waiting for a verbal assessment from the European Commission regarding the fulfilment of the seven conditions that accompanied the granting of candidate status. This assessment will help to finalise everything that is needed to open negotiations on EU membership at the end of the year. ‘The opening of negotiations ensures increased attention to the country that started this process. We now need this attention and strengthened cooperation,’ said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

Regarding Euro-Atlantic integration, she stated that Ukraine wants to receive a very clear signal about joining NATO already at the Vilnius summit next month. The Chair of the Committee is convinced that Ukraine should follow the same path that allowed Finland to join the Alliance and that  is also followed by Sweden. ‘Without Ukraine in NATO, there will be no lasting peace on the continent. We understand that Ukraine cannot join NATO until the war is over. We also understand that Russia will use this to prolong the war. If Ukraine receives a stronger message at the Vilnius summit, not only Ukraine will benefit, but also the security of the whole of Europe,’ Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said.