Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Addresses Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies

On Tuesday 17 June 2025, Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada (parliament), addressed Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies during an official visit.

Claude Wiseler, President of the Chamber of Deputies, welcomed his Ukrainian counterpart, noting that this was the first time Luxembourg's parliament had "convened a plenary session specifically for a national parliament president; a parliament president whose country is at war". He stated that the Chamber of Deputies was thus "sending a clear signal of solidarity, cohesion and resilience".

Mr Wiseler stressed that Ukraine's future is intertwined with that of Luxembourg and Europe. He reaffirmed Luxembourg's strong support for Ukraine and commended the continued strength and courage of the Ukrainian people. He also praised the Verkhovna Rada for continuing to function despite the ongoing war, describing the Ukrainian parliament as "a symbol of hope, resilience and will to live". In addition, he reflected on his recent visit to Ukraine, and he expressed support for the creation of a special tribunal to hold Russia accountable for its crimes of aggression.

In his address, Ruslan Stefanchuk expressed deep gratitude for Luxembourg's steadfast political, humanitarian and military assistance over the past three years. He emphasised that Ukraine is defending not only its own sovereignty but also shared European values. The Verkhovna Rada Speaker called for intensified pressure on Russia through sanctions, increased military support for Ukraine and mechanisms of international justice. He also issued a plea for international assistance in bringing home Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, and he reaffirmed Ukraine's goal of joining both the European Union and NATO.

Drawing parallels between Luxembourg's past experience of war and occupation and Ukraine's current struggle, Mr Stefanchuk invoked the Luxembourgish motto "Mir wëlle bleiwe wat mir sinn" ("We want to remain what we are"), which he said also applied to Ukraine. He assured that his country wants peace but will "never stop fighting for its own existence, for the right to choose, for the future of its children"; he warned that "peace at any price would mean the capitulation of Ukraine" - and that of Europe. He also asked Luxembourg to continue supporting Ukraine on its path to EU and NATO membership.

Ruslan Stefanchuk requested a minute of silence in honour of victims of the war; Luxembourg deputies (MPs) stood in solemn reflection.

"You are not a small country - you are a great country, inhabited by people with great and kind hearts," Mr Stefanchuk concluded, describing Luxembourg as "a fortress of justice, responsibility and solidarity". His speech received a standing ovation and extended applause.

The Verkhovna Rada Speaker's in-person address came three years after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies via video conference.