Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada: Ukraine is counting on the supply of weapons from the West
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Andriy Parubiy, stated that Ukraine is counting on supplies of lethal weapons and the strengthening of international sanctions against Russia, Interfax-Ukraine reported.
“We are counting on political and financial support, strengthening of economic sanctions against the aggressor and other kinds of assistance, including supplies of lethal weapons to our state,” Parubiy said during the meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Ukraine-NATO Council in Kiev. The Chairman noted that Ukraine also expects the creation of a trust fund for supporting public information programs.
Parubiy stressed that the issues pertaining to Ukraine’s defense capabilities are the priority for the Verkhovna Rada. On Tuesday, the Parliament intends to consider bills concerning state defense. Parubiy also stated that Russia could enhance military actions in Ukraine at any time and that the Ukrainian Army has to be ready to defeat this aggression.
In relation to the issue, Co-Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Ukraine-NATO Council Reinel Andreychuk noted that it isn’t yet time to ease or lift sanctions against Russia. Last April, the U.S. stated that they would not provide Ukraine with lethal weapons in order to avoid provoking an escalation of the conflict in the Donbas.