The parties discussed current international developments, in particular the signing in Washington of the Joint Declaration of Azerbaijan, the United States, and Armenia. According to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, this is an important step towards lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

Ruslan Stefanchuk emphasized that Ukraine supports initiatives based on the principles of the UN Charter, international law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of states.
He stated: “Any decisions concerning Ukraine adopted without our country’s participation are decisions against peace. It is unacceptable to discuss the future of a European state without Europe and without Ukraine itself. Our position remains consistent: Russia must stop the killings and agree to a ceasefire.”

Separately, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada expressed solidarity with Azerbaijan in connection with the repressions against Azerbaijanis in Russia and the attacks on SOCAR facilities in Ukraine. “These crimes are links of the same chain of aggression, which we firmly condemn,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk.

The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada invited Ms. Gafarova to pay an official visit to Ukraine and to take part in the Fourth Parliamentary Summit of the Crimea Platform, to be held on November 23–24 in Stockholm. “I am also grateful for the invitation to Baku — to strengthen the interparliamentary dialogue between our capitals,” Ruslan Stefanchuk noted.