Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that Ukraine “must join the EU” and is taking all necessary steps toward accession, speaking Monday at the Warsaw Security Forum. He emphasized that Kyiv has already fulfilled its obligations and cautioned against delays caused by internal politics within member states. “What we must avoid is any dependence on Russia,” he underlined.
Ukraine applied for EU membership soon after the outbreak of war with Russia in February 2022. The European Council agreed in December 2023 to open accession talks, while in June 2024, the European Commission endorsed reforms in both Ukraine and Moldova, paving the way for a negotiation framework.
Still, the process has faced hurdles. Hungary and Slovakia have blocked further progress, citing conditions such as halting strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline, which supplies Russian energy. Lithuania has since proposed an alternative negotiation plan aimed at circumventing Budapest’s objections.
