Last night Russia carried out one of the most massive attacks on Ukraine. This happened precisely yesterday — on the day when Europe in Luxembourg opens the first negotiation cluster on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.
Putin is showing Europe that he is fighting against Ukraine’s European choice, against European values, against European civilization itself — its culture, its history, its faith.
It is therefore all the more important that today Europe responded by making a long-awaited historic decision to open the first negotiation cluster “Foundations” on the path to Ukraine’s membership in the European Union.
Behind it are dozens of reforms, enormous work by diplomats, parliament, government, civil society, and our European partners. Behind this decision are also the participants of the Revolution of Dignity. The Armed Forces of Ukraine, which preserved the state, are also behind it. We are building on the foundation that was created by the longstanding effort of the entire state.
This is the beginning of a new stage in our European integration. We know what needs to be done, and we know the criteria and standards that we must achieve. Not for Brussels, but primarily for ourselves — for a better quality of life for citizens, the development of Ukrainian business, and the strengthening of the Ukrainian state.
The alpha and omega of this process are the rule of law, democracy, protection of human rights, independent judiciary, effective fight against corruption, and true political pluralism. It is by these criteria that Ukraine’s readiness for EU membership will be assessed.
Today it is important to understand: the decision to open a negotiation cluster was made in Europe, but the speed and success of the negotiation process will primarily depend on Ukraine. On the work of the parliament and government. On the quality of laws and their implementation. On our ability to ensure real changes, not their imitation.
We have already proven that we can achieve great goals. Visa-free regime, Association Agreement, candidate status, start of the negotiation process — all of this became the result of persistent work and strategic vision. Now we have to prove that we can do more. That we can not only open negotiations, but also successfully complete the entire path to full membership in the European Union.
The faster we move along the path of reforms, the closer will be the day when Ukraine takes its rightful place in the family of the European Union. So it will be!
Why is the opening of the “Foundations” cluster in the EU accession talks good news for Ukraine and troubling for the authorities?
Because the mechanism for aligning Ukrainian legislation and practice with European standards has been launched. With standards that define the highest conditions of life on the planet.
And now the authorities have no one to blame but themselves.
Oh no, we are not naive.
They will try to shift responsibility to European structures. Hence the hysteria about “Give us a date,” which sounds most unpleasant from those who know well: the date is determined not by politicians’ positions but by progress in meeting the criteria.
They will try to point to neighbors and their whims. But working with neighbors requires professionalism and involving those capable of serious negotiations, not the principle of “agreeing to everything and shouting at the Rada.”
In the end, they will seek to blame the opposition for everything. But it’s been said many times: “Don’t think, just vote,” — this is not an approach. Because it will have to be redone.
Thus, the main thing: to remove the obstacles to the process that should lead to raising the Ukrainian flag in Brussels and Strasbourg forever, as equals.
And on the way, we will have to change and mature, because the level of tasks is no joke nor for videos.
