Zelenskyy: The start of our membership in the European Union will be counted from today

Today, June 25, Ukraine moves to actual, real negotiations with the European Union regarding membership.

This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

«Today is a historic day when we move to actual, real negotiations with the European Union regarding Ukraine's membership. On February 28, 2022, a few days after the start of the full-scale invasion, we signed the application for accession,» he noted.

The President recalled that almost two years ago, in June 2022, Ukraine won candidacy, and in December of last year — received a political decision regarding negotiations.

«But it is from today that the start of our membership in the European Union will be counted: the first intergovernmental conference of Ukraine and the EU is already today. Thank you to everyone who protects Ukraine, our state, our people. Thanks to the team that is doing everything to make us part of the European Union. We will never be led astray from the path to a united Europe, to our common home — all European nations. A home that should be peaceful!» emphasized the president.

Accession of Ukraine to the EU

Denmark will prepare Mykolaiv officials for Ukraine's accession to the EU — local authorities will be taught how to receive and properly use Union funds.

Earlier, Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Zhovkva said that negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union will begin in the first half of 2024, when Belgium will chair the EU Council.

It was also reported that the start of official negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU may be postponed until March 2024 due to Hungary's position.

In turn, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that Poland will try to help Ukraine in all aspects of the EU accession process.

As you know, Ukraine fully fulfilled four of the seven requirements that accompanied the granting of the status of a candidate for admission.

In December 2023, the leaders of the European Union at the summit in Brussels approved the recommendation of the European Commission to open accession negotiations with Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the decision of the European Union to open negotiations a victory for all of Europe.

In January of this year, as part of preparations for the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU, a constituent meeting on the screening of Ukrainian legislation was held in Brussels.

During a joint press conference in Warsaw on April 15, the Prime Ministers of Poland and Denmark, Donald Tusk and Mette Frederiksen, said that the presidency of Poland, followed by Denmark, in the first and second half of next year should contribute to the acceleration of Ukraine's European integration processes.

European Commissioner for the Budget Johannes Hahn, that the planned accession of Ukraine to the EU may lead to an increase in the budget of the European Union by up to 20%.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine has fulfilled all the conditions for the start of negotiations on joining the European Union, and now the EU side must fulfill its obligations.