Zelenskyy Calls to Start Negotiation Process on Anniversary of EU Membership Application

, 28 February 2023, 10:54

This year is the time for the beginning of negotiations regarding Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

Zelenskyy recalled that one year ago, on the 5th day of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine submitted an application for EU membership and later received candidate status.

"This year is the time to decide on the launch of membership negotiations," the president said on Twitter.

🇺🇦 has always been Europe, 🇺🇦 will always be Europe. We've already guaranteed it. A year ago, on the 5th day of the full-scale war, 🇺🇦 applied to join the European Union and secured the candidate status. This year is the time to decide on the launch of membership negotiations.1/2
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 28, 2023

He emphasised that it was Ukraine that had brought the EU together like never before.

"It's Ukraine that's defending European values for generations to come. It's Ukraine where Europe becomes whole, free, and at peace. Together in struggle, together in victory. Long live Europe! Long live freedom!," wrote Zelenskyy.

At the Ukraine-EU summit in early February, Kyiv declared its goal to start accession negotiations in 2023, and Brussels agreed to submit an interim assessment of the implementation of the seven recommendations in the spring.

Meanwhile, according to a consortium of expert organisations, the average level of Ukraine's compliance with EU requirements in the context of candidate status exceeded 5 points on a 10-point scale (Ukr). The fulfilment of all seven requirements of the European Commission is key to starting accession negotiations.