Ukraine Demands EU Membership – Zelensky

Ukrainian state is able to contribute to strengthening stability and security in the European region, the president said. Ukraine seeks and demands full membership in the European Union. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky during his speech at a video conference of the Eastern Partnership leaders, the press service of the Ukrainian leader reported on Thursday, June 18. According to him, the Eastern Partnership is useful for Ukraine when it brings the Ukrainian state closer to EU membership, but it “should not limit the ambitions of the partners”. “Someone needs a political dialogue, someone a strategic partnership with the EU, someone seeks integration into the common market on the basis of the “four freedoms”, and someone like Ukraine demands full membership in the EU,” Zelensky said. He recalled that the initial goal of the initiative was to develop the EU community with partners who share European values ​​and principles. At the same time, the benefits of such an association should be enjoyed by all citizens of the participating countries. The President of Ukraine expressed confidence in the opportunity to jointly overcome challenges, in particular the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, by deepening integration and increasing coordination between countries, and not thanks to political self-isolation and protectionism. “I’m sure the Stronger Together slogan is more relevant today than ever,” Zelensky said. The President believes that a stable security environment, the foundation of which is the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, is the main prerequisite for implementing the Eastern Partnership goals: strengthening democracy, reform, the rule of law, respect for human rights and freedoms. “In my opinion, the European Union has not yet used its full potential for security purposes on the European continent,” he said. Zelensky recalled that the size of the occupied Ukrainian territory and the number of Ukrainian citizens who were there are equal to the area and population of some EU countries. “I know that it is believed that the Eastern Partnership is not a tool to resolve conflicts. At the same time, we cannot allow external players to further destabilize the situation in the region and create more and more hot spots,” the Ukrainian leader emphasized. According to the head of the Ukrainian state, emerging conflicts in partners’ territories does not mean at all that socio-economic and security problems cannot involve EU countries. “Ukraine is able to contribute to strengthening stability and security in the region: to participate in EU missions, military and security projects, initiatives aimed at combating information and hybrid threats, disinformation, etc.,” Zelensky said adding that this is attested by recognition of Ukraine as NATO’s Enhanced Opportunities Partner . Recall, in May the Council of the European Union approved conclusions on the Eastern Partnership policy after 2020, confirming its strategic importance.