On 12 June, as part of an official visit to Switzerland, the chairman of Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, held bilateral talks with National Council president Eric Nussbaumer (SP, BL) and Council of States president Eva Herzog (SP, BS). Discussions focused on the current situation in Ukraine and Switzerland's diplomatic, humanitarian and long-term financial support for the country. The challenges facing the Verkhovna Rada in the current war and the role of the legislature in the country’s reconstruction were also discussed.
In talks with Mr Stefanchuk, Mr Nussbaumer and Ms Herzog reaffirmed Switzerland's solidarity with Ukraine and stressed the importance of Switzerland's contribution to peace, security and reconstruction in the country. Ruslan Stefanchuk thanked Switzerland for organising the summit on peace in Ukraine, which will take place at the Bürgenstock resort on 15 and 16 June, and expressed the hope that it will send a strong signal for a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, which will be supported by participating countries from all continents.
In addition to the usual programme for such visits, an exchange took place between Mr Stefanchuk and interested MPs during the recess of the Federal Assembly. His speech and the ensuing discussion were broadcast on the YouTube channel of the Parliamentary Services. Mr Stefanchuk also met with the leaders of the parliamentary groups and parties, and was received for a courtesy visit by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA.
The day before the official event in Bern, Mr Stefanchuk was presented with a gold medal by the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe on behalf of the Verkhovna Rada in Lausanne. The Foundation decided to honour the Ukrainian parliament for its commitment to democracy and human rights.
The pictures of the official visit are available in the photo library of the Federal Assembly.