In a significant meeting held on Monday, Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, engaged in talks with a delegation led by Margareta Cederfelt, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), to rally support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing Russian military operation.
Stefanchuk, through a Facebook post, revealed that the discussions occurred ahead of today's scheduled meeting of the special committee of the parliamentary group for supporting Ukraine. This move underscores a significant gesture of support for the embattled nation, as reported by the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform.
The focus of the meeting was primarily on prioritizing military, political, and economic backing for Ukraine to counter the Russian operation. Facilitating the implementation of President Volodymyr Zelensky's peace formula, ensuring stricter sanctions on Russia, increasing its international isolation, and holding it accountable under international law were also key discussion points.
Both parties also deliberated on the contentious issue of elections in Russian-controlled Ukrainian territories. Stefanchuk expressed hopes for a strong condemnation from the OSCE against Russia's attempts to conduct such elections.
Stefanchuk urged the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to adopt a firm stance to compel Russia to halt its military operations, advocating for a complete prohibition of Russia's presence and activities in international organizations.
In another context, Serhiy Naiev, the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, highlighted the upcoming packages of military aid to Ukraine, which are expected to include F-16 aircraft and missiles capable of striking targets within a 300-500 kilometer range.
Naiev pointed out the anticipation of F-16 jets and long-range missiles in subsequent military aid packages, which would significantly enhance the Ukrainian defense forces' battlefield effectiveness and facilitate the liberation of occupied territories, as per the news agency Interfax Ukraine.
He also noted the rapid integration and mastery of modern weaponry by the Ukrainian military, ranging from drones to advanced air defense systems, underscoring Ukraine's unique position in possessing such a diverse arsenal.
Naiev's confidence in the country's defense capabilities emphasizes Ukraine's resilience and the international community's support in its struggle against the aggressor.