Ukraine not ready to join EU shortly – Klimkin

The country's accession to the EU and NATO is a story with a medium-term prospect, the minister said.

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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has declared that Ukraine is not yet ready to join the European Union.

"Joining the EU and joining NATO is a story with a medium-term prospect," Klimkin told a "Zavtrak z 1+1 TV show" on Tuesday.

If someone tells you that we will join in a year or two, never believe them. This is pure lies, misleading people. But if someone tells you that this is a case for at least 30 years, also don’t believe them, because experience shows something completely different," Klimkin emphasized.

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“With NATO, it’s somewhat easier, actually. We need a consensus within NATO, and we need to do more here in Ukraine, since we are not ready. We need to say this honestly,” the minister said.

"That's if we really work and change, because at today's pace [of reform], it will not join the EU and NATO either in a year, or two, or five," said Klimkin.

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