Olga Stefanishyna, Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, expressed her belief that Ukraine could be ready to join the European Union in two years, and even earlier to join NATO. She said this in an interview with the Voice of America.
Reacting to the words of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, about the need to prepare the EU for enlargement by 2030, Stefanishyna emphasized that Ukraine should not wait seven years for the possibility of accession.
The Vice Prime Minister expressed confidence that Ukraine will be able to successfully negotiate, fulfill all obligations related to the implementation of European standards and create conditions for the recovery of the Ukrainian economy that will allow the country to become a competitive member of the European Union.
"We will be ready to join the European Union in the next two years, but, of course, the course of the war will determine the political framework for making this decision," Stefanishyna said.
According to the Vice Prime Minister, joining NATO may look closer for Ukraine.
"I think we will be able to join NATO sooner because we expect victory, the end of the war, and one of the strongest, most powerful and most famous armies in the world will definitely be the biggest guarantor of security for Europe and the entire European space," the Vice Prime Minister said.