Ukraine is demonstrating example to the other European countries how to defend the national and European values and the territorial integrity of the country. This was stated by the lawmakers of the German Free Democratic Party Renata Alt and Frank Müller-Rosentritt during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

MPs added that unlike Germany, in this struggle Ukraine is fighting a war with a neighboring state and the occupied territory, therefore, it knows the  worth  of such words as "peace", "freedom" and "values". "People in Germany have freedom in the country, and the world is perceived as something ordinary, which cannot be applies to your country, where the war has been lasting not for one year,"  the German party noted.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that Ukraine is now paving the same path towards development as the European Union had undergone since the end of the Second World War. "Ukraine is undergoing processes that revive our national and European identity, the Ukrainian nation is now showing to the whole world what means to fight for values amid Russian military aggression and, at the same time, to carry out large-scale reforms," she added.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze thanked the lawmakers of the Bundestag for a regular visit to Ukraine and constant interest of Germany in cooperation with our state. "Ukraine, especially now, after the presidential election, will need the support of international partners in continuing the reforms that were launched by the Government and the President five years ago," the Deputy Prime Minister underlined.

The Deputy Prime Minister assured Renata Alt and Frank Müller-Rosentritt that after elections Ukraine will continue to implement reforms in all spheres, in particular in the public sector. European and Euro-Atlantic Euro-Atlantic course will remain unchanged because this is what the society wants.

"Today, the majority of Ukrainians support Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO, regardless in which parts of the country they live. Ironically, Russian aggression helped consolidate people around this idea. The Government has a clear action plan for joining and will make every effort to achieve this target. I spare no effort to remain in touch with EU, NATO and other government agencies of the Western partners in order to assist Ukraine", Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze underlined.

In turn, the German side emphasized that the presidential elections in Ukraine have become an example of democracy and free expression of the will and assured that Germany supports Ukraine in adopting vital decisions and is ready to continue to make practical contributions to the reform process. In particular, the issue at stake is  supporting the energy sector, decentralization reforms, continuing work within trust funds and projects aimed at restoring social infrastructure in the east of Ukraine that has suffered as a result of Russia's military aggression.

The parties also touched upon the construction of the pipeline Nord Stream 2 and the threats that it carries as well as discussed the possibility of the liberation of all Ukrainian prisoners in Russia, in particular, 23 Ukrainian servicemen seized by Russia  in the Kerch Strait, who are accused of terrorism , and the 20-year-old political prisoner Pavlo Hryb. In this context, Frank Müller-Rosentritt advocated further strengthening of sanctions against the Russian Federation. "There is absolutely unprecedented situation with Ukrainian prisoners. Russia has already overstepped all possible marks. We support the strengthening of sanctions against the Russian Federation, especially since Kremlin’s’ decision made yesterday to simplify the issuance of Russian passports to the residents of separate areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (ORDLO)", the lawmaker said.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze placed a special emphasis on the fact that the fight against Russian aggression and its hybrid in Europe is a common interest not only of Ukraine but also of the whole of Europe and this issue must be solved in synergy.