The patience threshold of our partners regarding delays in reforms has been reached. Ukraine needs to speed up.
On Radio NV, we discussed the visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Ukraine and the signals European partners are sending to Ukraine today.
Key points:
• Merz’s visit is an important window of opportunity for Ukraine. Despite the complex internal political situation in Germany, the chancellor confirmed readiness to support our state with real actions: defense contracts, a military aid package of 1.3 billion euros, and engagement of German business. It’s important to use this momentum to strengthen support from other partners.
• The first step towards peace must be an unconditional ceasefire. This is the call Merz made during his visit. Europe must be at the table of future peace negotiations. Europe’s participation is crucial for the reliability of future agreements and the security of the European continent.
• The chancellor’s meeting with parliament representatives, including the pro-European opposition, signals the importance of internal unity. Democracy requires dialogue with both the authorities and the opposition. Cooperation with pro-European political forces is essential for making necessary, sometimes painful decisions to obtain financial support and move towards the EU.
• War cannot justify delays in reforms. Slow fulfillment of our commitments, including the Koch-Kos plan, increasingly concerns partners. Reforms in the prosecutor’s office, DBR, the fight against corruption, and strengthening the rule of law are primarily needed by Ukraine itself. Future support will increasingly depend on tangible results.
• Accelerating EU accession requires fulfilling our part of the work. Adopting necessary changes regarding the rights of national minorities can create conditions for the immediate unblocking of the next two negotiation clusters (internal market and competition). On October 15, the European Council should adopt Conclusions on the strict linkage of internal reforms to the pace of Ukraine’s European integration. Meanwhile, the course for membership should become a national project that unites the country and all democratic forces.
• Diplomatic presence is also significant. Ukraine needs to expedite the appointment of an ambassador to the EU. Meanwhile, the decision of European ambassadors to remain in Kyiv despite Russian threats is an important display of solidarity and political support, for which we should be grateful.
The faster we implement reforms, the stronger our internal resilience, sense of justice, and positions at the negotiating table will be. Trust from partners must be reinforced by fulfilling undertaken commitments.
Watch the full discussion on Radio NV in the video.
Photo: OP
