Best time for Ukraine's European integration breakthrough is under Swedish EU presidency -  Ambassador Cichocki

Ambassador of Poland to Ukraine Bartosz Cichocki said this on Espreso TV.

“We need to find a compromise between the pace of Ukraine's approximation to the European Union and the quality. It was very well said, and the European delegation expected it, that this year, by the end of 2023, the European Commission will analyze the possibility of launching an accession initiative. On the other hand, it was said that there is progress, but reforms in the judiciary, in the fight against corruption, and national minorities were mentioned. So there is good communication. The head of the European delegation, Matti Maasikas, and I are all working together, and first of all, the ambassadors of the G7 countries. And the Ukrainian side understands exactly what we are talking about,” he said.

According to the ambassador, the issue of the Constitutional Court is about international experts evaluating judicial candidates. Regarding the fight against corruption, it is necessary to launch the work of the SAPO and appoint the head of the NABU. Bartosz Cichocki noted that there is communication and everyone understands what needs to be done.

“I am sure that this summit was historic. I think it was the 24th, but I don't think even a big EU expert will be able to say anything about the 20th, 18th or 15th, but they will talk about the 24th. There was a lot of time devoted to the war, macro-financial assistance from the EU in the energy sector. There was also a very unconventional decision to increase the budget for the peace fund, which allows EU states to provide you with weapons - this is huge money, it has never happened before. The EU is taking unprecedented steps toward you, and Ukraine is taking unprecedented steps toward the EU. But the process is not over. We need to understand that now, when the Swedes are leading the EU, it may be for some time, the best moment to make a breakthrough, a breakthrough forward,” the Polish ambassador emphasized.

• On February 11, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he expects Ukraine to join the EU in two years and NATO after winning the war with Russia.