The Ukrainian government aims to fulfil the European Commission's task and start negotiations on EU membership by the end of the year, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said. During an online lecture at the Menendez Pelayo University, he stressed that the European Union is a "liberal empire" that needs to increase its strength to compete successfully on the global stage.
Kuleba noted that Europe needs "new forces and muscle", and the notion of "extension fatigue" should give way to healthy global ambitions.
"Since February 2022, the EU as a whole and individual member states have demonstrated many times that they have such ambitions. In particular, when they granted Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership. At the moment, Ukrainians are simultaneously at war and embodying internal transformations. Ukraine is determined to fulfil all the tasks set by the European Commission and open negotiations on joining the EU this year," the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said.
In addition, Kuleba clarified that the strengthening and stability of the European Union do not meet the plans of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. According to the minister, Putin seeks chaos, conflict and indecision within the bloc.
