The Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, met with the newly appointed NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, at the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

According to the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, the decision to make Ukraine the destination of the newly elected Secretary General’s first foreign visit clearly reflects his priorities.

Ruslan Stefanchuk expressed gratitude for the assistance already provided to Ukraine. “For the F-16s and for the principle of holding Russia accountable for all its crimes in Ukraine, particularly for the downing of flight MH17,” said the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Stefanchuk noted that the priority topic of discussion was Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. “The Ukrainian army today is de facto a NATO army. After all, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are fighting with NATO weapons, following NATO standards, and are protecting NATO's eastern flank from Russia. Membership in the Alliance is Ukraine's undisputed goal. I expect that under Mark Rutte's mandate, it will become de jure,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada emphasized.

Additionally, the Head of the Ukrainian Parliament highlighted Ukraine's specific needs for further defense support from its allies, particularly the strengthening of Ukrainian air defense. “First and foremost, we need permission to fully utilize the weapons provided by our partners, specifically to destroy military targets in Russia. This includes creating a ‘humanitarian shield’ of air defense under the control of individual NATO members along Ukraine's western border, as well as the supply of modern fighter jets and more training courses for F-16 pilots,” Stefanchuk emphasized.