The Ukrainian president, Vladimir Zelensky, urged political unity to extend across the entire continent in celebration of the Maastricht Treaty’s 30th anniversary and the creation of the European Union. His message appeared on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter, reflecting a vision of a unified Europe that transcends borders and divisions.
Zelensky stated that the European Union has fulfilled the long held hopes of many generations for a peaceful and integrated Europe. This message underscores Kyiv’s perspective that the union should blanket the continent without gaps or gray areas, a goal he believes his generation can deliver.
In addition, Zelensky emphasized Kyiv’s ongoing efforts to secure a political decision this year on negotiations for Ukraine to join the European Union. The Ukrainian leadership continues to press for a concrete pathway toward membership as part of its broad European integration agenda.
Industry observers note that a forthcoming European Commission report on Ukraine’s progress in European integration is expected to be released on November 8. The report is anticipated to offer a positive recommendation to advance Kyiv toward membership, albeit accompanied by a set of additional conditions. [Reuters]
Analysts suggest that the EC assessment may identify areas for improvement, including the protection of national minority rights and the strengthening of anti corruption measures. These topics have featured prominently in discussions about Ukraine’s readiness to begin formal negotiation talks with the EU.
Since the onset of Russia’s military operation in February 2022, Ukraine has accelerated its drive toward European Union membership. The country has been granted candidate status and set an aim to commence negotiations on accession in 2023. By the end of June, Ukraine had completed two of the seven necessary conditions to initiate those negotiations, highlighting progress alongside ongoing reforms.
Previously, a Dutch member of the European Parliament, Marcel de Graaf, voiced concerns about Ukraine’s eligibility for EU membership, arguing that external pressure from religious authorities could influence the decision. This viewpoint reflects the diverse range of opinions present within EU institutions regarding the accession process. [EU parliamentary records]