Slovenia supports Ukraine's European aspirations - Kondratiuk

Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk said this after a meeting with Slovenia's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon, according to the press service of the Ukrainian parliament.

The two discussed the issue of granting Ukraine the status of a candidate country for accession to the European Union, the statement said.

"I was glad to hear that the new Slovenian government shares the European aspirations of the Ukrainian people," Kondratiuk said, adding that Ukrainians hope to see the EU's steadfast unity on Ukraine's European perspective.

She also thanked Slovenia for its consistent support of Ukraine in the fight against the Russian aggressor.

"Slovenia is a small country, but it has a big heart and determination. Since the beginning of the large-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine has received significant political, humanitarian and military assistance from Slovenia," Kondratiuk said.

According to her, Slovenia condemns war crimes committed by Russia, including the killing of civilians in Ukraine, and insists on bringing all perpetrators of these atrocities to international criminal justice.

Fajon, in turn, said that she would recommend the Slovenian government to support granting Ukraine the status of a candidate country for EU membership.

"Slovenia is a country of your reliable friends who wish Ukraine only victory," she said.

She also noted that Ukraine is fighting for the whole of Europe today.

"You have managed to mobilize the support of 500 million European citizens," Fajon said.

Kondratiuk on Tuesday began a working visit to Slovenia by laying flowers at the monument to Hryhoriy Skovoroda together with Ukrainian Ambassador Mykhailo Brodovych.

Representatives of the European Council will hold a substantive discussion on granting Ukraine the status of a candidate country for membership in the European Union at a meeting on June 23-24.

Photo credit: press service of the Verkhovna Rada