Min vecka – Aktuellt från Europaparlamentet

Dear reader, 

My name is Yevheniya Kravchuk, and I´m a member of the Ukrainian Parliament. 

This week, I accepted the invitation from Karin Karlsbro to send a message from Kyiv through her newsletter. 

First of all, Ukraine and Sweden are united against Putin’s imperialist aspirations.

Ukraine’s relations with Sweden can be traced back to the Middle Ages. We indeed have a long and productive partnership. Sweden was the first Nordic country to recognise Ukraine’s independence in 1991. You have supported us in every way within the Eastern Partnership when we needed it. And we feel your constant support up to this day. 

Let me thank Sweden for the unwavering support you have provided to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of our country. This support is not only military, but also humanitarian, financial and, no less importantly, political. Thank you for your government’s recent winter aid package of €124 million for civilian infrastructure. At this time, when the aggressor’s shelling is unfortunately intensifying, this assistance is extremely important.

Sweden is one of our partner countries that clearly understands that providing support to Ukraine is a contribution to our common security and common peaceful future. Everyone understands Putin’s imperialist aspirations. He would not stop at Ukraine alone if he had such an opportunity. Now we need to be united as never before to defeat a joint enemy. 

Another thing that unites us is our common future in the EU and NATO. We are extremely grateful to the decisive EU leaders who recently made a historic step at the European Council to open negotiations on Ukraine’s accession. This decision will make not only Ukraine, but also the whole Europe more powerful.

We understand that opening negotiations will require a lot of effort and work.  On this path, the support of strong European leaders will be vital for us. We count on Sweden’s support and guidance in the negotiation process.

The Ukrainian parliament has done an extraordinary job in this regard. After the European Commission’s report on 8 November, which stated that 90% of the commitments had been fulfilled, we managed to complete the rest by the summit. Amendments to the law in the context of national minority rights, as well as three laws within the framework of anti-corruption recommendations, were approved by the Verkhovna Rada and signed by the President.

I am convinced that Sweden will soon become a full member of NATO. Similarly, Ukraine’s aspiration to become a full member of the Alliance is unchanged, enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine, and will continue to grow stronger. Our countries will undoubtedly strengthen NATO. Nevertheless, already now, we can continue to cooperate in the security sphere to face common challenges and achieve joint victories on the battlefield.

At the same time, we should not forget about the reconstruction of Ukraine, in particular, the reconstruction of the liberated territories and cities and towns affected by shelling. Thank you for your significant financial contributions to this process. Sweden has been and remains our reliable partner on this track as well. By protecting and defending our common European liberal values, I am sure together we can do even more! 

I wish you all the best for the New Year, 

Yevheniya Kravchuk
Member of Parliament Verkhovna Rada, Vice group-leader of the Servant of the People’s party