During the 71st Autumn Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, a meeting of the Ukraine–NATO Interparliamentary Council (UNIC) took place, officially opened by NATO PA President Marcos Perestrello.
Co-chairs of the Council — First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniyenko and Member of the Lithuanian Seimas Committee on European and Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis — discussed with NATO partners key issues of collective security and support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
“I emphasized that Ukraine’s victory will not only restore our borders but also strengthen NATO itself. A secure Ukraine within the Alliance will mean a stronger Eastern flank, a more stable Black Sea region, and a safer Europe,” said First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniyenko.
He briefed the members of the Council on the current security situation in Ukraine — both on the front line and inside the country — noting that it remains extremely difficult: Russia continues daily missile and drone attacks targeting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, gas and energy facilities, cities, and ports.
“The goal of these attacks is to exhaust Ukraine and undermine the will of our partners. But that will not happen. Our people remain strong, and our defenders are doing everything possible to hold the line,” Korniyenko stressed, adding that Ukraine urgently needs further support — especially air defense systems, long-range capabilities, ammunition, and equipment to protect its energy infrastructure.
Korniyenko also highlighted that, beyond immediate assistance, there is great potential in expanding cooperation between Ukraine and NATO member states in the defense industry. He underlined that Ukraine is ready to share its experience and technologies for the joint production of drones, ammunition, and air defense components.
At the same time, the First Deputy Speaker assured that reforms in Ukraine continue despite the daily attacks. The Verkhovna Rada is adopting legislation to improve defense management, procurement transparency, strengthen anti-corruption institutions, and enhance parliamentary oversight of defense resources. Ukrainian legislation is being gradually aligned with NATO standards, while coordination between the security sector, local communities, and international partners continues to improve.
Korniyenko called on the international community to continue acting with unity and determination to prove that freedom, when defended together, always prevails.
For his part, Audronius Ažubalis, Co-Chair of the Ukraine–NATO Interparliamentary Council, reaffirmed his clear and unwavering support for Ukraine and its people. He called for continued financial and defense assistance, condemned Russia’s aggression as a blatant violation of international law and an act of terrorism, and stressed that Ukraine’s victory is key to peace and stability not only in the Euro-Atlantic region. He also emphasized the urgent need to “close the sky” over Ukraine to stop terror against the civilian population.
“The situation demands our joint and resolute actions,” Ažubalis concluded.
During the meeting, the report by Yehor Cherniev, Head of the Permanent Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, was endorsed. The report noted that Russia remains determined to continue its illegal war, hoping that Western consensus on supporting Ukraine will “fragment.”
“Kyiv’s ability to withstand depends on uninterrupted external support, further expansion of its defense industrial base, and the timely strengthening of air and missile defense networks capable of deterring Russia’s hybrid air-ground offensives,” emphasized Yehor Cherniev.
Parliamentarians stressed that NATO members must not agree to any rushed peace settlement in Ukraine that would undermine the country’s sovereignty or reward the Russian aggressor.
On behalf of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, Oleksandr Korniyenko expressed gratitude to all NATO member states and their parliaments for their consistent and principled support in the fields of defense, recovery, and Euro-Atlantic integration.
“The NATO Parliamentary Assembly and UNIC are more than just platforms for discussion — they are communities of trust built on shared values and shared responsibility. Cooperation between the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the NATO PA has become a strong bridge linking our democratic institutions. This is not only about dialogue — it is about action, responsibility, and resilience in the face of aggression,” concluded Oleksandr Korniyenko.