Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk is on a working visit to Canada, where he took part in the International Security Forum in Halifax on November 22-23. The visit is aimed at strengthening international support for Ukraine, in particular in providing additional military, technical and financial assistance, as well as promoting our country's Euro-Atlantic integration.

In the framework of the Forum, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada spoke at the panel discussion “Era of Unity: Ukraine's Victory”, during which he emphasized the key role of Ukraine in protecting freedom and democratic values in the world.

“Ukrainians are asking why Ukraine, which is fighting to protect universal democratic values, does not receive proper protection from the democratic world. The lack of clear answers and decisive actions only strengthens the Putin regime. A regime that has united the axis of evil and used their combined power against Ukraine. We cannot change geography. But we can change the course of history. We can change it through decisive, strong-willed actions.”

Ruslan Stefanchuk thanked the allies for their comprehensive support and called for further strengthening of defense assistance, in particular, through the supply of air defense systems, long-range missiles, combat aircraft and other precision weapons.

The Chairman of the Parliament also emphasized the importance of implementing the Peace Formula of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which provides for the achievement of sustainable peace on the basis of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

In the framework of the visit, bilateral meetings were held with Canadian Senators, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Melanie Joly and Minister of National Defense of Canada Bill Blair.

During the meetings, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada thanked for the significant military, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, in particular for the supply of the NASAMS system, which is already effectively operating in Ukraine.

Expressing gratitude to Canada for its leadership in supporting Ukraine, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada emphasized the importance of Canada's upcoming presidency of the G7 as an opportunity to consolidate international efforts in the fight against Russian aggression.

The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada emphasized that Ukraine remains at the forefront of the struggle for freedom and democracy, and its victory will be a victory for the entire free world.

Also, in the framework of the Forum, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada met with a delegation of the U.S. Congress, led by Senators Gina Shaheen and Jim Risch. Ruslan Stefanchuk expressed his gratitude for the strategic leadership of the United States in supporting Ukraine, as well as for the bipartisan support.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the security situation, the urgent needs of Ukraine's security and defense forces, as well as the solutions needed to strengthen the defense capabilities of our country.

The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada emphasized that Russia continues to escalate: the use of an intercontinental ballistic missile, the involvement of soldiers from North Korea and the daily shelling of peaceful cities in Ukraine require decisive action from the international community. He called for further strengthening of defense support for Ukraine, which should receive the necessary weapons to defeat the aggressor on the battlefield, as well as for further strengthening of sanctions pressure on Russia.

During Ruslan Stefanchuk's meeting with Ukrainian Canadian Congress President Alexandra Chyczij, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked the Ukrainian community in Canada for its significant contribution to supporting Ukraine, especially during this period of countering Russian aggression.