Volodymyr Zelensky following the meeting with the Presidents of the European Council and Moldova in Kyiv.
Ukraine is implementing the recommendations necessary for the adoption of a political decision to start negotiations on EU membership and expects a corresponding positive result by the end of the current year. President Volodymyr Zelensky made this statement during a meeting with representatives of the media after talks with European Council President Charles Michel and President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu in Kyiv.
Over the ten years since the beginning of the Maidan, Ukrainians have overcome a significant part of our path to the EU. The whole of Europe has believed in Ukraine and understood us. Ukrainians have been able to ensure the preservation of freedom for the entire Europe," emphasized the Head of State.
Volodymyr Zelensky expressed the belief that the visit to Kyiv on the Day of Dignity and Freedom by the President of the European Council and the President of Moldova symbolizes that Ukraine's success on the European path is also a success for its neighbors.
"Our cooperation with Moldova, especially economically, has already proven that together with partners, we can strengthen our region, our Europe, and effectively counter Russian attempts to spread aggression and poverty," he said.
The President informed that during the meeting with Maia Sandu, they discussed how to increase opportunities for the two states, particularly regarding security and job opportunities for citizens of Ukraine and Moldova.
"I am confident that the people of Moldova, together with all of us, together with the whole of Europe, will achieve social justice and sustainable, stable economic growth," said Volodymyr Zelensky.
Maia Sandu emphasized that the peoples of Ukraine and Moldova have chosen the democratic European path of development.
She called on all EU countries to support membership negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova at the next meeting of the European Council in December in Brussels.
"With EU expansion, two things are most important - unity and speed. Unlike the Russian strategy of 'divide and conquer,' our most powerful defense is unity. We must be one voice, demonstrating that our collective will is unshakable and unbroken. This is not just a strategic choice; it is a matter of survival and European stability," noted the President of Moldova.
During the meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and the President of the European Council, progress in Ukraine's implementation of the recommendations of the European Commission for the start of EU membership negotiations was discussed.
"Ukraine understands that the path of any country to the EU is a path of merit, not gifts. Ukraine is fulfilling its part of the work. We believe that the European Union will be ready to fulfill its part of the path, as promised, so that by the end of the year, in December, the desired political decision to start accession negotiations and bring the process of full integration closer will be achieved," emphasized the President of Ukraine.
On his part, President of the European Council Charles Michel acknowledged Ukraine's progress in approaching the EU and noted that the ongoing process of reforms should continue. According to him, the European Union will continue to support Ukraine, as the Russian war poses a threat to European security.
Charles Michel is convinced that the expansion of the European Union will make it stronger and contribute to the emergence of new opportunities to protect fundamental values.
