Head of the Verkhovna Rada delegation Hanna Hopko and Head of the delegation of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Sverre Myrli have issued a statement after a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Interparliamentary Council, which was held in the city of Dnipro on Wednesday, saying that Ukraine's first priority is to achieve full and lasting ceasefire.

"Russia continues its illegal occupation of the territory of Ukraine, is actively supporting armed militants, and flagrantly violating its international obligations. The Interparliamentary Council reiterated its full and unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders," reads the statement published by chair of the permanent delegation to the NATO PA, MP Iryna Friz of the of the Poroshenko Bloc faction on her Facebook page.

The Interparliamentary Council has extensively discussed the security situation in Ukraine, met with representatives of local authorities, the command of the Ukrainian army, volunteers and public activists, and international humanitarian organizations operating in the east of Ukraine. Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Council also visited a local hospital, where Ukrainian soldiers are treated.

"As part of these meetings, they noted that the security situation in eastern Ukraine remains unstable, in particular violations of the ceasefire continue, as well as constant attempts of Russia-backed militants to destroy the recent decision on the withdrawal of forces from these areas, and their preventing the activities of the OSCE SMM in Ukraine," the statement reads.

Members of the Interparliamentary Council have expressed particular concern over the humanitarian situation in the territory under the control of militants, as well as the lack of progress in the liberation of Ukrainian hostages, that are held in Russia and in the territories controlled by militants.

Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Council analyzed Ukraine's achievements in the reform of political, economic and defense areas, welcomed the progress made and call for increased efforts.

The NATO-Ukraine Interparliamentary Council was established in 2003 and unites ten Ukrainian parliamentarians and their counterparts from ten NATO member countries. The Interparliamentary Council meets twice a year in Ukraine and in Brussels. Its purpose is to demonstrate parliamentary interest in identifying problems in the cooperation between Ukraine and NATO. Over time, the council has become an active political forum, where parliamentarians from Ukraine and NATO member states can discuss any issues of public interest.