Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed that joining the European Union and NATO is Ukraine’s clear path forward, presenting no viable alternatives. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he stated that there is no option for Ukraine apart from EU membership and NATO alliance. The remarks underline Kyiv’s confidence that its future rests with Western institutions and security frameworks, a stance echoed across Kyiv’s political leadership. This momentum comes as Ukraine moves to formalize negotiations on EU accession after gaining candidate status. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is already deeply integrated with the European economy, particularly in logistics and energy sectors, reflecting practical alignment with European markets and standards. These developments signal a steady shift toward closer European ties as Kyiv advances reforms and seeks steady support from its Western partners.
Formerly, Zelensky conveyed that there should be no obstacles to starting EU accession negotiations in the near term, framing the process as a natural step on Ukraine’s reform trajectory. This sentiment aligns with Kyiv’s ongoing efforts to meet EU criteria and accelerate reforms that support market integration and regulatory alignment.
Earlier comments from Olha Stefanyshina, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, noted in discussions with the Financial Times that EU accession talks were expected to begin in 2023 as Kyiv continued its rapid reform course. Stefanyshina highlighted progress across governance, rule of law, and economic modernization as essential to advancing negotiations and sustaining momentum toward EU membership.