Zelenskyy says Ukraine is fully prepared for EU membership talks

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the country is fully prepared for negotiations on EU membership. He said this in his evening video address on July 24.

"I have held several political meetings, in particular on the European Union, our integration in this matter. We have to start negotiations on membership. Ukraine is fully prepared for this. We are doing what is necessary on our part and doing everything possible to ensure that the EU's readiness is also complete," he said.

Zelenskyy also spoke out against extending restrictions on the export of Ukrainian agricultural products to Europe after September 15.

"There is a very important agreement with the European Commission on September 15. This is the deadline for the restrictions on our exports. And we believe that the European side will fulfill its obligations on the date when the temporary restrictions will cease to be in force," he said.

"Any extension of the restrictions is absolutely unacceptable and frankly un-European. Europe has the institutional capacity to act more rationally than to close a border for a particular product," Zelenskyy emphasized.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 25/07/2023