Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said European leaders should clearly announce the conditions for Ukraine to become a full member of the European Union.
"I believe that a clear European position on Ukraine is very important for Ukrainians. And I have asked many European leaders: 'You should tell Ukrainians what you want Ukrainians to do, step-by-step, to become members of the EU,'" he told Euronews in an interview, according to the president's press service.
According to Zelensky, after receiving a specific list of steps, it will be clear what needs to be done and how much time is needed for Ukraine's European integration.
"So that everyone understands what we need now – both Ukraine and Europe. It seems to me that we just need to make a country that Europe really wants. And the decision should be up to Ukraine," the president said.
In his opinion, despite the fact that not all EU countries want to see Ukraine in the EU, the European Union as a whole wants Ukraine to be a partner and a member.
Read alsoPoll: nearly 60% of Ukrainians support EU accession, almost 50% – joining NATOAt the same time, Zelensky stressed European countries and the European Union support Ukraine and firmly stand on the position of defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.
"We see how Europe is acting with sanctions today, how it supports us, losing money through sanctions against the Russian Federation. I am grateful to them for that," he added.
Ukraine's European integration
- The North Atlantic Council on June 12 recognized Ukraine as an Enhanced Opportunities Partner.
- The European Union claims on the path of Ukraine-EU rapprochement, it is first necessary to fully implement the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA).