Ukraine has very real chances to become a member of the European Union already this decade. 

Ambassador of Ukraine to the EU Vsevolod Chentsov stated this in an interview with "European Truth". 

According to the ambassador, Ukraine's path to the EU in 2022 is a unique precedent, because within 12 months it was possible to "squeeze" the processes that other countries have been going through for years.

In addition, according to the Eurobarometer poll, countries with previously skeptical attitudes now support aid to Ukraine and its future accession to the EU. 

"Finally, it became clear that Ukraine is a value for the EU, for Europe, that the European Union is becoming different," the diplomat said.  

In his opinion, negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU can begin "very soon".

He expressed hope that in the spring the European Commission will present a preliminary assessment and "we will understand the real picture and what we still need to do."

But legislatively, according to him, the work has already been done. 

"I think so," Chentsov answered when asked if he thought it was realistic that Ukraine could become a member of the European Union this decade.

Regarding the fact that someone is slowing Ukraine's further movement towards the EU, the ambassador believes that it is incorrect to talk about it now: "There is a history of expansion and each specific state has its own understanding... What is the position of those we call skeptics? That this process should be credible - meaningful, reliable. That is, this is their main warning. And we have to prove that we are serious about this, that our goal, including, is to strengthen the EU by acquiring membership."

Movement of Ukraine to the EU

On June 17, the European Commission recommended

granting Ukraine the status of a candidate country for joining the EU.

The head of the EC, Ursula von der Leyen, said that about 70% of European rules, norms and standards have already been implemented in Ukraine.

According to her, Ukraine still needs to carry out important work regarding the rule of law, de-oligarchization and the fight against corruption.

On June 23, Ukraine officially received the status of a candidate for EU membership.

The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, reported that

2023 and these winter months will be very important on the way to Ukraine's membership in the European Union.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also stated that 

Ukraine, having overcome Russian aggression, will become a member of NATO on radically different terms than it could have happened between 2008 and 2022

, when the state was denied entry due to intimidation by the Kremlin.

The Chairman of the European Council, Charles Michel, speaking in the Verkhovna Rada on January 20, said that the issue of Ukraine's membership in the EU has been resolved.

Now

efforts must be made to turn promises into reality.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Urmas Reinsalu stated that 

Ukraine will have a future in the EU

 and thanks to the support of "friends" this road will be shorter for Kyiv.

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