Ukraine is preparing to launch four new clusters as part of its bid to join the EU — Zelenskyy
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined three main areas of Ukraine’s cooperation with the European Union. These include moving toward full membership, more active integration into European processes, and preparing for the coming winter. The head of state made these remarks following a conversation with Ukrainian officials responsible for European integration.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has identified three priorities for its future cooperation with the European Union. The president announced this on his social media accounts following a conversation with Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi, Deputy Prime Ministerfor European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Vsevolod Chentsov, as well as Deputy Heads of the Office of the President Serhiy Kyslytsia and Ihor Zhovkva.
Ukraine Wants to Move Toward Full EU Membership
Zelenskyy identified Ukraine’s accession to the European Union as the first and foremost priority. The President emphasized that Ukraine’s EU membership is important not only from a political or economic standpoint. In his view, it is also a matter of security for both Ukraine and all of Europe. ““It is precisely with Ukraine’s accession to the European Union that the geopolitical uncertainty—which Russia has exploited for several decades to sow destabilization in both Ukraine and the European Union—will be eliminated,” Zelenskyy noted.
He also believes that after Ukraine’s accession, the European Union will gain additional security capabilities. “On the other hand, together with Ukraine’s strength, the European Union will acquire the necessary security capabilities, which will strengthen the European component of the Euro-Atlantic community,” the president said. According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine is awaiting the opening of the remaining four clusters in the EU accession negotiations. He assured that the Ukrainian side has done everything necessary to secure a positive decision.
Ukraine Wants to Integrate Even More Closely with Europe
Zelenskyy identified the second priority as utilizing every opportunity for Ukraine’s practical sectoral integration into the EU right now. The goal is for Ukraine to become even more actively involved in European processes and rules even before its formal accession to the European Union.
The president noted that Ukraine must become part of the European space not only at the level of political statements. According to him, it is important for Ukrainians and Europeans to increasingly work within the framework of shared processes. “Ukraine must be perceived by all Europeans as an integral part of familiar European processes, and this should drive our political movement and the decisions of leaders and countries,” Zelenskyy explained. Thus, Kyiv aims to deepen cooperation with the EU even before all procedures necessary for full membership are completed.
The third priority is preparing for winter
The president identified securing the necessary support ahead of the coming winter as the third key priority. The goal is to prepare Ukraine in advance for potential challenges during the cold season and to ensure the necessary assistance from European partners.
Zelenskyy did not specify all the details of this effort, but he emphasized that the issue of support for Ukraine ahead of winter is one of the key areas of cooperation with the European Union. Thus, the Ukrainian side aims to move forward simultaneously in three directions: advancing toward full EU membership, deepening practical integration now, and securing the necessary European support ahead of winter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced the new Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Ihor Klymenko, and stated that he expects him to strengthen the coordination role of the security and defense sector.
