Among the conditions that Ukraine must fulfill for the start of EU accession negotiations, some have encountered resistance in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament).

"Undoubtedly, not all the reforms that the EU demands from us will receive full support in the Verkhovna Rada. Although I don't believe that there will be complete resistance on any issue. There will be cases with challenging discussions," stated First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Oleksandr Korniienko, during the conference 'Ukraine's Path to the EU.'

As an example, he mentioned lifting the ban on raw timber export.

According to the Deputy Chairman, a specific bill, part of the "homework package" that Kyiv must complete by the end of the year, is facing a difficult debate in the Rada.

However, Korniienko did not mention the exact bill he was referring to.

"We will be in constant discussion with the EU. There will be issues where we are open. There are others where we will defend the economy," noted Oleksandr Korniienko.

As reported, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna stated that Ukraine would not fulfill all seven criteria of the European Commission by October, but accession negotiations will still start.

In late June, the European Commission provided an interim assessment of Ukraine's progress on its EU path. Ukraine has fulfilled two of the seven conditions for the start of EU membership negotiations, at the same time Brussels notes the progress made despite Russia's full-scale war.