Zelenskyy called on the EU to speed up Ukraine’s accession following the opening of the first round of negotiations
During the European Union Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg, EU member states unanimously decided to open the first of six negotiation clusters on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the European Union. This is the ‘Fundamentals’ cluster, which covers issues of justice, the rule of law and fundamental rights.
In a video address to conference participants, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasised that the opening of the first cluster sends an important signal to the whole of Europe.
“What is happening today – the opening of the first cluster in the accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova – is a clear signal that Europe’s progress cannot be stopped. We have worked tirelessly to reach this point,” said the head of state.
The President addressed the conference participants from Chisinau Airport on his way to the G7 summit in France. He noted that Ukraine and Moldova have together passed important milestones on the path to European Union membership and continue to move towards this goal.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasised that accelerating the negotiation process regarding Ukraine’s accession to the EU could be one of Europe’s strongest responses to Russian aggression.
“Ukraine has earned the right to move faster. And this is precisely the political decision Europe needs today,” the President stated.
According to him, Ukraine is ready to open all six negotiation clusters and has completed the necessary work for this. The Head of State called on the European Union to proceed without delay to opening the remaining five clusters.
During his speech, the President also mentioned Russia’s latest massive attack on Ukrainian cities. He noted that the strikes had resulted in deaths and injuries, with destruction and fires reported, and that a Russian drone had struck the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Separately, Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the possibility of negotiations with Russia to end the war. According to him, Ukraine had offered Vladimir Putin a meeting at any location where real decisions to end the war could be made, but the Russian side did not agree.
The President stated that Ukraine, together with the US and France, had discussed the possibility of holding a meeting with Russia on the sidelines of the G7 summit involving democratic states. Furthermore, the day before, he had discussed with US President Donald Trump the possibility of organising such a meeting in the United States.
“If Russia turns down this chance as well, additional pressure will be needed,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasised.
The President also thanked partners for their support of Ukraine’s defence at the bilateral level and within the framework of the PURL programme.
The opening of the ‘Fundamentals’ cluster marks the start of substantive negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. The next stages are to be negotiations on the ‘Internal Market’, ‘Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth’, “Green Agenda and Sustainable Development”, “Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion Policy” and “External Relations”. Ukraine has declared its readiness to open the remaining clusters as early as this month.
