At a meeting with a delegation of MEPs, Petro Poroshenko initiated the simultaneous ratification of the Open Skies Agreement by the Verkhovna Rada and the European Parliament. He spoke about this to reporters after a meeting of the European Parliament delegation led by the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Security and Defense Natalie Luazo with the Verkhovna Rada Committees on Foreign Policy and Ukraine’s EU Integration.
“It was a very timely and very symbolic meeting with a very representative delegation of the European Parliament, which represents all factions that are united in support of Ukraine, and a large number of EU countries, which are also working to ensure world unity with Ukraine in very difficult times.”, Petro Poroshenko emphasised.
“We are grateful for the enormous assistance that the EU is providing to Ukraine at this time. This includes the decision of the European Commission to provide us with 1.2 billion euros in macro-financial assistance. There is also the initiative of some countries to provide us with military assistance. And I made several proposals, which were gratefully accepted by Mr. David McAllister, Ms. Natalie Luazo, and members of the delegation,” Petro Poroshenko said.
“The first initiative is for both the Verkhovna Rada and the European Parliament to vote simultaneously for the ratification of the Open Skies Agreement. And immediately after returning to Strasbourg and Brussels, this issue will be raised before the presidents of the European Parliament,” Petro Poroshenko said.
“The second initiative is the acceleration of the ratification of an agreement which will provide us with macro-financial assistance, because Ukraine now desperately needs this money,” Poroshenko said.
The leader of the European Solidarity party expressed hope that the Verkhovna Rada would still pass a bill that would significantly increase funding for the Armed Forces.
“This would target issues of financial support for Ukrainian soldiers, in matters of military supplies, materials, medical and combat support, which will increase the combat effectiveness of the Ukrainian armed forces and increase the price to be paid by Putin in the event of an attack. This is the backbone of a strong Ukrainian army plus an international coalition that will ensure peace,” Petro Poroshenko stressed.