Ratas assured the delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of Estonia’s continuing support

President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas met with the delegation of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine and Zhytomyr Oblast that is on a visit to Estonia. The head of the delegation is Chairman of the Ukraine-Estonia Parliamentary Friendship Group Arsenii Pushkarenko

Ratas emphasised at the beginning of the meeting, “We understand the gravity of the situation that Russia’s aggression has caused to Ukraine.” He added that tomorrow, 14 October was the Defenders Day in Ukraine. “This is the day when we celebrate the bravery of the Ukrainian armed forces and the Ukrainian people in defending their country. It is also the day when we commemorate those who have given their lives for the freedom and independence of Ukraine and are with their close ones in our thoughts,” Ratas said. “With the price of your lives, you have made the world a better place.”

Ratas said that proceeding from the Declaration of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, on Tuesday 85 members of the Riigikogu had submitted for legislative proceedings in the Riigikogu a draft Statement on condemning the annexation of the territory of Ukraine and declaring Russia a terrorist regime. It is planned to adopt the Statement next week.

Ratas underlined that Ukraine was fighting for its freedom as well as for the future of Europe and the whole democratic world. The President of the Riigikogu stated that we strongly condemned Russia’s barbaric attacks on the Ukrainian people and the civilian infrastructure across Ukraine.

Ratas said that we had already started with the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine in Zhytomyr Oblast. “We focus on reconstructing public buildings and facilities, like building a kindergarten in the city of Ovruch,” Ratas added.

Head of the Ukrainian delegation Arsenii Pushkarenko said that Estonia’s contribution in supporting Ukraine both in the situation of war and in the planned reconstruction was highly appreciated in Ukraine. He recalled with appreciation the visits of Estonian politicians to war-torn Ukraine, which have been of great moral importance.

“Estonia supports the NATO open door policy and Ukraine’s purposeful progress towards NATO membership,” Ratas underlined. He added that Estonia was ready to support Ukraine on the way to the European Union and share its European integration experience. “Your motivation, functioning democratic institutions and progress during the time you are fighting against the aggressor are impressive,” Ratas said.

The Ukrainian delegation also met with Vice-President of the Riigikogu Helir-Valdor Seeder and members of the Estonia-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, as well as with the members of the Government and the representatives of wood processing companies. Tomorrow they will have meetings with the representatives of the City of Tallinn, and visit the Freedom School of Estonia, a school for Ukrainian war refugee children.

During the meetings, support to Ukraine in the fight against Russia’s aggression, the current situation in the war-torn country, and Estonia’s possibilities to assist Ukraine in post-war reconstruction were discussed. Cooperation in Ukraine’s European integration was also spoken about.

Photos (Erik Peinar, Riigikogu).

Source: Parliament of Estonia