Ukraine has set a record for going from applying for membership in the European Union to the start of negotiations. This path was faster than of any candidate country in history, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba.
The Minister welcomed the approval by EU member states of the negotiating framework for Ukraine's accession to the bloc. He noted that Ukraine's path was not easy, including revolution and war.
"Ukraine also set a record, progressing from application for EU membership to the start of negotiations in just over two years — faster than any other candidate country in history," added Kuleba.
According to the Minister, Ukraine has been diligently fulfilling all the requirements and implementing critical reforms to bring this day closer.
"As a EU member, Ukraine will strengthen security and prosperity for all Europeans, as well as realize our common dream of living on a continent of freedom, prosperity, and peace," he emphasized.
Ukraine's EU accession
Ukraine applied for EU membership on February 28, 2022, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion began. By June, the European Council granted Ukraine candidate status for integration into the bloc, making it the first country to receive such status during a war.
In December 2023, having made significant progress towards EU membership, Ukraine received the green light to begin official negotiations. Today, June 21, EU ambassadors "have agreed in principle" to start talks.
