Brussels: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced on Monday that Kyiv is steadfastly committed to implementing necessary reforms for European Union (EU) membership, with an aim to finalize an accession agreement by 2027. Ukraine, which was granted EU candidate status in 2022, is accelerating its efforts to join the bloc, spurred by the geopolitical consequences of the ongoing conflict that has lasted four years.
According to Anadolu Agency, Sybiha addressed the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, highlighting Ukraine’s plans to initiate Cluster One in accession talks on May 26. He further revealed intentions to commence additional negotiation clusters within the year. Sybiha conveyed a renewed sense of progress towards Ukraine’s European aspirations and shared updates on the military front.
The minister stated on US social media platform X that Ukraine is maintaining its defensive stance and noted a shift in momentum. He emphasized the effectiveness of long-range sanctions against Moscow, which have highlighted vulnerabilities within Russia. Sybiha called for Europe to take a more unified approach in peace efforts and to intensify pressure on Moscow. Additionally, he proposed a ‘Ukraine-EU Drone Deal’ to enhance European security through Ukraine’s technological expertise in drone defense.
Sybiha’s visit to Brussels included meetings with top diplomats from Finland, Lithuania, and Spain. He began his official engagements with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, expressing Kyiv’s willingness to dispatch an expert team to Finland to share Ukraine’s expertise in aerial defense. The discussions centered around the Russia-Ukraine peace process, Europe’s involvement, and Ukraine’s EU membership aspirations, as shared by Sybiha on social media.
In a meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, Sybiha reaffirmed the robust partnership between Ukraine and Lithuania, discussing defense collaborations and Ukraine’s readiness to send experts to assist Lithuania in air defense. Discussions with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares focused on Ukraine’s immediate defense needs, enhancing air defense and military capabilities, collaborating in the defense industry, and contributions to the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program.