Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Thursday “a unique and historic moment” after the attribution to Ukraine of the official status of candidate for the European Union by the Twenty-Seven, a decision awaited by kyiv in full Russian invasion. “This is a unique and historic moment in Ukraine-EU relations,” said Volodymyr Zelensky on Twitter, saying that, in his view, “Ukraine’s future lies within the EU”. “It’s our victory”, he supported a few minutes later in a short video on Instagram. “We have waited (this decision) for 120 days and even for 30 years” since Ukraine’s independence in 1991.
Sincerely commend EU leaders’ decision at #EUCO to grant a candidate status. It’s a unique and historical moment in – relations. Thankful to @CharlesMichel, @vonderleyen and EU leaders for support. Ukraine’s future is within the EU. #EmbraceUkrainehttps://t.co/o6dJVmTQrn
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 23, 2022
“We will win for sure” against the army of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which launched the invasion of Ukraine at the end of February, chained Volodymyr Zelensky.
A welcome decision
Many other Ukrainian leaders reacted quickly to the announcement made in the evening by Charles Michel, the President of the European Council. Dmytro Kouleba, the head of Ukrainian diplomacy, considered that “today marks the beginning of a long journey that we will travel together”, he said in a short video shot in pairs with Josep Borrell, its European counterpart. “Ukraine will win. Europe will win,” he tweeted. Before adding: “The Ukrainian people belong to the European family. The future of Ukraine is with the EU.”
Ukraine will prevail. Europe will prevail.
Today marks the beginning of a long journey that we will walk together.
The Ukrainian people belong to the European family. Ukraine’s future is with the EU.
We stand together for peace.
My message with@JosepBorrellFpic.twitter.com/4VoFxBFikZ
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) June 23, 2022
Same story with Denys Chmygal, the Ukrainian Prime Minister, for whom “this historic day” marks “a new stage in the construction of Europe”. “Official EU candidate status is about further reforms, wide-ranging rapprochement in all sectors of the economy and a process of full entry into the EU internal market,” he said. precise.
“A difficult path awaits us”
The head of the presidential administration Andriï Yermak also spoke of “the necessary reforms” for Ukraine to officially integrate the European Union in the future. “We want to become a member of the EU,” he said. “A difficult path awaits us, but the essential has been demonstrated: we are part of the civilized world and take separate paths with ‘Zombieland’ (Russia, editor’s note)”, finally rejoiced on Twitter Mykhaïlo Podoliak, the adviser of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The end of “Russian world” in Ukraine and the era of Russian lobby in Europe. – official EU candidate, and Europe is united as never before. Difficult path is ahead, but the main thing is proven: we are part of the civilized world and have separate ways with the Zombieland.
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) June 23, 2022
Ukraine is therefore officially a candidate for EU membership, a scenario still unimaginable at the start of the year, but which imposed itself on the Twenty-Seven with the Russian invasion. However, the process could take years to complete.