The Rada expects Ukraine to become a NATO member faster than the EU

Ukraine may join the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) before it becomes a member of the European Union. This is indicated by the dynamics of the negotiation process and the “traditions” of EU enlargement.

This was stated by MP, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Kornienko, RBC-Ukraine reports citing Ukrinform.

According to the politician, during a “geopolitical dialogue” at the European Policy Center in Brussels, he expects that “we will become members of NATO faster than members of the European Union.”

Kornienko noted that all the EU's “waves of enlargement” took place after the European elections, and the next one is scheduled for 2029.

“So, I think the next opportunity for EU enlargement may open up after these elections to the European Parliament,” the MP said.

The First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada added that the Ukrainian side will do “everything on our part to be prepared for such a development.”

“But it is difficult to predict what the decision of the member states will be. 5 years in politics is a very long time,” he said.

Kornienko also said that during his visit to Brussels, he and the state delegation are negotiating the continuation of the screening of Ukrainian legislation for compliance with EU legal norms.

“This is the most important and purely practical condition for any country's membership in the EU,” the MP said.

He added that Ukraine “clearly realizes” that the enlargement process is based “on the achievements of each candidate country” and is ready to “work in good faith” to go through this path of European integration and gain full membership in the EU.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 08/10/2024