On May 9, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with the President of the European Council Charles Michel in Odessa.

The Head of the Ukrainian Government stressed the symbolism of the visit on the day when the European Union celebrates Europe Day, and the fact that the meeting takes place in Odessa - a free, European and multinational city where the greatest European values are embodied: democracy, freedom of speech, respect for human rights.

"Odesa, like many other cities in our country, has already suffered shelling by the russian aggressor and destructions of infrastructure as a result. The bombing of Odesa by Russian missiles takes place every day, like it was hit two minutes ago with two missiles. Yesterday and today, every day the occupier tries to destroy this beautiful city. And we have a task to rebuild everything ruined by the aggressor," said Denys Shmyhal.

The Prime Minister thanked the President of the European Council for his readiness to help rebuild a democratic Ukraine.

"Today, Ukraine, as well as the whole of Europe, is facing one of the most difficult trials in its history. Giving Ukraine the status of an EU membership candidate would be a strong signal of support for our people, as well as a response to russia's military aggression and its attempts to reconsider the postwar world order," said the Prime Minister.

Denys Shmyhal emphasized that today Ukraine would hand over the EU with answers to the second part of the questionnaire to obtain the status of the candidate.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine and the President of the European Council also touched upon the issue of unblocking Ukrainian seaports and coordinated further joint steps to address the issue of ensuring the export of Ukrainian agricultural products.

Apart from that, the parties discussed intensifying sanctions’ pressure on russia. According to Denys Shmyhal, it is critical for the European Union to maintain unity and impose an embargo on oil imports, as this will have a dramatic effect on the aggressor.

Denys Shmyhal thanked the European Union for its comprehensive support and financial assistance to the tune of EUR 1.5 billion under the European Peace Facility for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as well as for the budget support of Ukraine to the tune of EUR 1.2 billion.

President of the European Council Charles Michel, for his part, said that the European Union is ready to continue to put pressure on the kremlin through sanctions, and EU countries are already close to a decision to ban imports of russian oil. The President of the European Council assured that they supported an initiative to rebuild the destroyed infrastructure of Ukraine and would exert every effort to help our country stop the russian military machine.