Zelenskyy called on EU leaders to agree to open the remaining five clusters as early as June
During his address at a meeting of the European Council, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on EU leaders to open the remaining five clusters by the end of June 2026.
The head of state emphasized the importance of adopting this decision during Cyprus’s presidency of the EU Council, which ends at the end of this month.
Ukraine seeks to accelerate the integration process as much as possible to counteract any potential future Russian political and military pressure on the European region.
In his speech, the Ukrainian leader emphasized that the country is actively implementing the necessary structural reforms and paying an extremely high price for its European choice.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that decisive steps by Brussels would send a clear signal to the Kremlin regarding the irreversibility of Kyiv’s geopolitical course.
The Ukrainian side insists on the application of special procedures capable of significantly shortening the duration of the standard bureaucratic process of joining the European community.
The head of state openly acknowledged that there are discussions on this issue among various member states, but stressed the historic significance of the moment.
Clear prospects for European integration are viewed as one of the key elements of the long-term security framework.
“The most important such step would be a fast-track process—I know not everyone likes this, but I apologize, I’ve already written this, so I have to say it—a fast-track process for Ukraine’s accession to the EU,” the president said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Kyiv is fully prepared to carry out all necessary reforms, and this is clearly outlined in the government’s plans. At the same time, he warned EU leaders that “the lack of a clear decision on Ukraine within the EU continues to encourage Russian interference.”
Official Kyiv considers rapid integration to be the best tool for stabilizing the situation on the continent.
“If Ukraine gains full membership—and gains it quickly, as I hope it will—Russia will lose one of its main justifications for attempting to destabilize Ukraine and Europe. And that is why this fast-track process is necessary for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy argues.
The President of Ukraine called for the remaining five negotiation clusters to be opened as soon as possible after Ukraine and Moldova officially opened the first clusters.
He assured that Ukrainian government institutions have completed all the preparatory tasks required to launch a new round of negotiations.
“We can open the other five clusters as well. Everything is already prepared, and this can be done in the coming weeks—I hope so. We believe this could be possible as soon as possible—perhaps during Cyprus’s presidency. That would be the best way. I’m not asking for myself, but for Cyprus. It’s very symbolic for both of us,” he said.
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