Ms Riniker was received in Kyiv by her counterpart Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chair of the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada. Their discussions centred on the current war situation, international support for the country and the humanitarian needs of the war-affected population.
Ms Riniker is accompanied on the trip by National Council member Laurent Wehrli (FDP, VD), who chairs the National Council Foreign Affairs Committee.
A further focus of the official visit is Switzerland's support for the people of Ukraine. Ms Riniker will visit the region to find out about Swiss projects concerned with protection of civilians, access to education and improving local structures through reform processes.
By the end of May 2025, the federal government will have provided around CHF 5.16 billion in financial support for the people in Ukraine and Switzerland who are affected by the war. From 2025 to 2036, Ukraine will receive a further CHF 5 billion, making this the largest country programme in the history of Switzerland's international cooperation.
The Swiss parliament plays a key role in supporting Ukraine, is regularly consulted by the Federal Council and debates the required legislation. As Ms Riniker explains: "In my role as the president of the National Council, it is therefore very important for me to get a detailed picture and to obtain first-hand information about the situation in Ukraine and the status of Swiss projects."
Ms Riniker's visit emphasises Switzerland's continuing ties with the Ukrainian people. In her talks with Mr Stefanchuk and other representatives of the Ukrainian parliament, she reaffirmed Switzerland's willingness to work for a sustainable and just peace based on the United Nations Charter and to continue to help search for a diplomatic solution through its good offices.
The Swiss parliament and the Verkhovna Rada have fostered close ties for many years, and these have become stronger since the war of aggression against Ukraine. In 2024, while on an official visit to Bern, Mr Stefantschuk proposed a reciprocal visit to the then president of the National Council, Eric Nussbaumer.