The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, was in Kyiv on Friday 1 April, where she delivered a political message of support for the Ukrainian resistance facing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
She is the first head of a European institution to travel to the Ukrainian capital since the beginning of the conflict, at the invitation of the chair of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk.
“The European Parliament, the EU and the citizens of Europe are with Ukraine”, she stressed at a press briefing with Mr Stefanchuk, highlighting the “extraordinary” bravery, courage and resilience of Ukrainians.
Ms Metsola promised that Vladimir Putin’s “criminal” invasion of Ukraine will not go unpunished, that Ukraine has the full support of the Parliament for its European ambitions and aspirations, and that the EU will help Ukraine to rebuild cities after the war. In the meantime, she assured that the EU would take care of Ukrainian refugees until they could return safely to their homes and that the EU’s humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine would be increased.
Calling Ms Metsola a “true friend of Ukraine and the nation”, Mr Stefanchuk explained that they had discussed sanctions against Russia, EU military and humanitarian support, and Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
Ms Metsola met with Mr Stefanchuk, Prime Minister Denys Chmyhal and representatives of political groups. She also addressed the Verkhovna Rada in an extraordinary session. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)