**Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Blocks Opposition Leader’s US Trip**
The Chairman of Ukraine’s parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, has blocked a planned trip by opposition leader Petro Poroshenko to the United States. Poroshenko was scheduled to attend an international security conference in Florida and meet with members of the Trump team.
**Poroshenko’s Planned Meetings**
Poroshenko had planned to speak at the conference, which brings together center-right political forces affiliated with the International Democracy Union (IDU). He also intended to meet with US President Donald Trump’s team to discuss strategies for ending Russia’s war against Ukraine and strengthening Ukraine’s defense.
**European Solidarity Reacts**
The European Solidarity party called the blocked trip a “violation of democratic principles” and accused Stefanchuk of obstructing opposition activity. They said the decision contradicted the values of multi-party pluralism and weakened Ukraine’s institutional democracy at a critical time.
**Stefanchuk Responds**
Stefanchuk responded that the travel request was submitted too quickly, with no proper preparation or official purpose. He dismissed the event as “conference tourism” and said it had nothing to do with official parliamentary work.
**Opposition Calls for Action**
Poroshenko and his party have called on the Verkhovna Rada to appeal to the US Congress for a new resolution reaffirming bipartisan support for Ukraine, including guarantees of continued military and financial assistance.