Ukraine’s goal is to start EU membership talks this year – Head of State

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insists that negotiations on Ukraine’s membership in the EU should start as soon as this year.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his video address, following the meeting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC), an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Today is exactly one year since Ukraine has become a candidate for accession to the European Union, and this year the goal is to start membership negotiations. Ukraine will definitely do its part,” Zelensky noted.

According to the Head of State, during the NSDC meeting, the participants discussed the tasks that should be completed by late 2023 in order to fully implement each of the European Commission’s recommendations for the start of negotiations on joining the EU. In each of these areas, the NSDC gave the necessary protocol instructions. President Zelensky expressed confidence that all of them can be fulfilled.

A reminder that, on June 23, 2023, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) held a meeting dedicated to the condition of bomb shelters, judicial reform, and European integration issues.