Metsola opens European Parliament office in Kyiv

President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola opened a European Parliament office in Kyiv on Wednesday.  

Addressing the Ukrainian parliament, President Metsola said that having a permanent representation office in Kyiv shows that Parliament has kept its commitment.

She added that through its office, the European Parliament can listen, work and support Ukraine on its path to peace and EU membership.

“We are here with you, and we are here to stay. And as we also say, you will never walk alone,” she said.

Metsola said that Europe, like Ukraine, has always wanted peace.

“It is the very reason our union was founded. But it must be a real peace, one that lasts, a peace that keeps us all safe. That is why we continue to push for security guarantees, and why we are working with our partners to make them real. We are ready, determined and able, and this is also the message that we have sent to our partners in the United States,” she said.

During her visit that took place 1300 days after the start of the Russian aggression on Ukraine, President Metsola met with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

She underlined that peace must be permanent, based on justice and dignity.

The President of the European Parliament said that the time has come to finally advance Ukraine's EU membership bid.

“The European Parliament is clear on this. Ukraine’s future is Europe. That is part of the necessary security guarantees Ukraine needs,” she said.

During her visit, President Metsola also met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, as well as with the Faction and Group leaders of the Verkhovna Rada.

She also honoured the courage of all those who sacrificed their lives for freedom, and visited a school where she met with children who are benefiting from humanitarian aid and food provided by the European Union.