Statement UNIC co-chairs and Head Ukrainian Delegation

PR NUMBER: 19
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/09/2025
Statement by the Ukraine–NATO Interparliamentary Council (UNIC) Co-Chairs
Oleksandr KORNIYENKO, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Member of
the Lithuanian Seimas (Former Minister of Foreign Affairs) Audronius AZUBALIS, and
Head of the Ukrainian Parliamentary delegation to the NATO PA Yehor CHERNIEV
1. We condemn Russia’s ongoing brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, its
deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, and indiscriminate daily killings of civilians,
including children. Through these actions, Russia seeks not only to destroy Ukraine but
also to destabilise the international security order.
2. We appreciate the efforts of the United States and President Donald Trump to help
bring this war to an end and to lay the foundations for a just and lasting peace that
guarantees Ukraine’s security and strengthens stability for Europe.
3. Peace negotiations must be preceded by a comprehensive ceasefire. The root cause
of this war lies in Russia’s aggressive imperialism, revisionism, and disregard for the
sovereignty of its neighbours. By launching an unprovoked and unjustified full-scale
invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has violated international law and
multiple international commitments, including the 1945 UN Charter, the 1975 Helsinki
Final Act, the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances, and the 1997
Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation, and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian
Federation. Given this track record, Russia must demonstrate genuine will for
negotiations and refrain from attempts to imitate dialogue aimed at sanctions relief or
prolongation of hostilities. Any attempt to impose a settlement through further
violence is unacceptable and will not be recognised by the international community.
The perpetrators of crimes committed during the war must be held accountable.
4. While supporting the diplomatic efforts, we emphasise the importance of maintaining
and increasing substantial military and financial support to Ukraine, as well as
further increasing pressure on Russia, including by upholding and imposing
restrictive measures. Peace will only come through a combination of determined
diplomacy, unwavering support for Ukraine, and consistent pressure on Russia to halt
its unlawful war and engage in genuine negotiations. Restrictive measures against
Russia must remain in place and be further strengthened until Russia fully
withdraws its troops from all occupied territories of Ukraine and provides just
reparations for the damage caused. Restrictive measures must also be applied
consistently to those countries that directly or indirectly support Russia’s war effort, to
increase the price for their cooperation in the aggression against Ukraine.
5. We recognise the need to maintain the continuous supply of weapons and
equipment to Ukraine, including air defences, artillery munitions, long- range precision
weapons, and multi-role fighter aircraft, so that Ukraine can defend itself today, deter
any future aggression, ensure that peace and security are protected, both in Ukraine
and throughout the entire Euro-Atlantic space, as our security is indivisible. We
highlight the need to increase investments in Ukraine’s rapidly developing defence
industry. Allied support will be essential to sustain a sizeable, well-equipped, and well-
trained Armed Forces of Ukraine, both during the war and after the cessation of
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hostilities, as they will remain the ultimate guarantor of Ukraine’s security and a key pillar
of post-war European stability.
6. We firmly denounce Russia’s ongoing hybrid warfare, encompassing disinformation
campaigns, cyberattacks, election interference, weaponisation of migration, and
attempts to undermine democratic institutions. We urge all Allies and partners to bolster
resilience against such threats through closer coordination, enhanced information
sharing, and collective countermeasures. Hybrid aggression must be acknowledged
as a core element of Russia’s war strategy and confronted with the same
determination as its conventional military operations.
7. We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must safeguard the essential
security interests of both Ukraine and Europe. These interests include robust and
credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty
and territorial integrity. We call on all NATO Allies to contribute to this endeavour with
significant capabilities.
8. We acknowledge the important demonstration of unity by more than 30 countries
being part of the coalition of the willing, working on robust security guarantees for
Ukraine.
9. We underscore the principle that international borders must not be altered by force
and call for the full respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty, its territorial integrity within
internationally recognised borders, its constitution, and the principles enshrined in the
UN Charter. It is vital for international security and the rules-based international order
that Russia must not derive any benefit from its illegal war of aggression, including
territorial gains. No negotiations, agreements, or arrangements can legitimise the illegal
occupation or attempted annexation of Ukrainian territory by Russia.
10. We reaffirm that Ukraine’s future is in NATO and that Ukraine is on an irreversible path
to its membership, as agreed by NATO’s Heads of State and Government. Ukraine has
the sovereign right to determine its security arrangements and alliances, free from
external pressure. We support Ukraine’s accession to NATO as the most effective
security guarantee and a significant contribution to Euro-Atlantic security and stability.
11. We recall the sacrifices of the Ukrainian people, who continue to defend not only their
own freedom and independence, but also the principles of democracy and international
law. Their resilience is an inspiration to all who value freedom and the rules-based
international order. The commitment of the Ukrainian Parliament and government
to reforms, transparency, and Euro-Atlantic integration further demonstrates
Ukraine’s readiness to assume its place within the Euro-Atlantic community.
12. We call upon all international partners to remain united in their support for Ukraine. The
strength of our Alliance and our partnerships lies in our shared values, solidarity,
and determination. As the Ukraine-NATO Interparliamentary Council, we will continue
to advocate for strong political, practical, and security support for Ukraine until victory is
achieved and a just peace is secured.
The Assembly, though institutionally separate from NATO, serves as an essential link
between NATO and the parliaments of the NATO nations. It provides greater
transparency of NATO policies and fosters better understanding of the Alliance’s
objectives and missions among legislators and citizens of the Alliance. Throughout
2025, the Assembly celebrates 70 years of parliamentary diplomacy.
Press queries: press@nato-pa.int