Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, believes that Ukraine is capable of taking the necessary steps to join the EU even amidst the war with Russia.

Commenting on the statement by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, about the need to prepare for the EU enlargement by 2030, Stefanishyna emphasised in an interview with Voice of America that this does not mean Ukraine should wait for seven years for the opportunity to join.

Stefanishyna is confident that Ukraine will be able to conduct effective negotiations, fulfil all commitments related to implementing European standards, and create conditions for the recovery of Ukraine's economy, enabling it to become a competitive EU member.

"We will be ready for EU membership within the next two years. The course of the war will surely determine the political framework for making this decision," she added.

Regarding NATO membership, Stefanishyna believes that it may be even closer on the horison.

"I think, we can join NATO sooner because we expect victory and the war end. One of the strongest, most powerful, and well-known armies in the world will be the biggest security guarantor for Europe and the entire European space," Stefanishyna pointed out.

Earlier, Stefanishyna stated that Ukraine would not fulfil all seven EU criteria by October, but accession negotiations would still begin.

Ukraine 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.

Ukraine's NATO membership was one of the defining topics at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. NATO leaders agreed to drop the NATO Membership Action Plan for Ukraine. However, the allies indicated that Ukraine would be invited to join NATO "when conditions are met."