Nadiya Savchenko meets with Ilkka Kanerva in Kyiv, 14 June 2016KYIV, 15 June 2016 – Yesterday in Kyiv Nadiya Savchenko, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament, recipient of the country’s highest Hero of Ukraine order, and recently released from a Russian prison, paid a surprise visit to an OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation under the leadership of President Ilkka Kanerva (MP Finland), who is in Kyiv for meetings with the Ukrainian President and other high-level officials.

Savchenko wanted to personally express her gratitude to Kanerva for his and the PA’s strong support during the days of her imprisonment. In an emotional exchange, Kanerva expressed the Parliamentary Assembly’s relief over her long-overdue release, inquiring about her treatment during the time she was held in isolation.

In Kyiv, Kanerva held meetings with Andriy Parubiy, Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv, and the Ukrainian OSCE PA Delegation led by Artur Gerasymov. The meetings are taking place on the sidelines of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s 92nd Rose-Roth Seminar.

In all meetings Kanerva reiterated the OSCE PA’s support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, including the need to return occupied Crimea to Ukraine. He also called for the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements, stressing that despite setbacks, the goals set forth in these agreements are still achievable.

“This is a crucial time not only for Ukraine but for all Europe,” Kanerva said. “It is not only a matter of Ukrainian security, but for the sake of the security of the whole continent it is crucial that the crisis in and around Ukraine is brought to a peaceful settlement. The ceasefire violations and the attacks on the OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission are becoming routine, which is unacceptable.”

Meeting with President Kanerva, the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Parubiy reiterated the firm position of Ukraine that the conflict can only be resolved peacefully. Parubiy also briefed Kanerva on various reforms that the parliament has already adopted.

While in Kyiv, the PA President also attended the Rose-Roth Seminar. The first day featured remarks by Parubiy; Raynell Andreychuk, Co-Chairperson of the UNIC; Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration; and Pat Cox, President of the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe.

The seminar and visit continue on Wednesday with Kanerva’s participation.