MP Jurik Visits Kiev, Meets President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Kiev/Bratislava, February 26 (TASR) - House European Affairs Committee vice-chair Beata Jurik (Progressive Slovakia/PS) together with a group called United for Ukraine visited Kiev and met with several Ukrainian senior representatives, including Verkhovna Rada chair Ruslan Stefanchuk, Vice-premier for European integration Olha Stefanishyna and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, TASR learnt from Alec Borovy of the PS press department on Wednesday. MP Jurik told the Ukrainian President that people in Slovakia know clearly who is the aggressor and who is the victim in the conflict between Kiev and Moscow. "Slovakia is not only Robert Fico. Hundreds of thousands on our squares and in the streets consider Ukraine to be our neighbour and friend. We are grateful for your heroism and also for the fact that you fight for our freedom and security as well. We stand with you," she stated. The meeting with Zelenskyy revolved around forms of aid extended to Ukraine by European countries, a deal with the United States but also sanctions against Russia. Voiced repeatedly was the need for unity within the EU. With Stefanishyna, Jurik discussed the issue of Ukraine-EU association talks, currently blocked by Hungary. "Ukraine belongs to the EU," underlined Jurik. She showed appreciation for reforms that has already been introduced by Ukraine in its effort to meet association agreement terms. In addition, Jurik delivered a speech at the Yalta European Conference. The opposition legislator travelled to Kiev on Sunday at the invitation of United for Ukraine to mark the third anniversary of Russian aggression in Ukraine. She called the visit symbolic and evidence that Europe continues to stand behind Ukraine. mf/mcs