Zelensky guarantees that “Ukraine will be part of the EU” ahead of progress report

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured on Tuesday that his country would become “part of the European Union (EU)”, ahead of the publication of a report on Ukraine’s progress with candidate status.

“Tomorrow [quarta-feira] This is an important day,” the head of the Ukrainian state emphasized in his usual evening address to the nation, calling the next report historic.

This Wednesday, the European Executive Director presents a report on the state of progress achieved not only by Ukraine, but also by all countries with the same status: Moldova, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey.

The decision on accession can only be taken at the European Council in December, but this will determine the assessment that will be included in the report.

Vladimir Zelensky emphasized that his country is “already preparing the next steps,” namely strengthening its institutions.

“Ukraine will be part of the European Union,” the official assured, referring to the “long road” to rapprochement that has already been passed.

However, he recalled, this requires work on the part of the country, which has been the target of a Russian invasion since February 2022, to “adapt to EU standards.”

In June 2022, the EU granted candidate status to Ukraine, which was a highly symbolic gesture.

In order for the opinion to be positive and for there to be a recommendation to the Council to discuss the start of formal negotiations, candidate countries must prove that they have made progress on the Commission’s recommendations.

These include reforming the legal system and strengthening its independence, creating effective measures to combat corruption, which in Ukraine carries significant weight due to decades of influence of oligarchies, and promoting digitalization and the energy transition to put candidates on par with countries. which are already part of the EU.

Last Saturday, Ursula von der Leyen unexpectedly appeared in Kiev and, after a meeting with Zelensky, said that she was confident that Ukraine is doing everything to join the EU and that these reforms will be reflected in the report, so it is expected that there will be a positive opinion, at least in relation to Ukraine.

“I must say that excellent progress has been made, it is impressive, and we will confirm this next week when the Commission presents its report on the expansion,” Ursula von der Leyen said at a joint press conference with the president. Ukraine on Saturday.

Since 24 February 2022, Ukraine has sought to reaffirm its independence from Russia, which has annexed large parts of its territory, and to this end, President Volodymyr Zelensky has sought to join the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as a way to turn the country westward and prevent future Russian attacks .

With the EU, the start of the process was the fastest to date, and at the same time as neighboring Moldova, Ukraine received candidate status in June 2022.

As for NATO, Zelensky’s expectations ultimately did not come true: the “brakes” were imposed by the leaders of 31 countries that are members of the military-political alliance.

This year’s July summit culminated in the creation of the NATO-Ukraine Council, a body that brings the country together, but in practice it is not a promise of membership that has been shelved for the future.