We expect decision to start negotiations on Ukraine joining EU in 2023 - Ukraine’s former president in run-up to EU-Ukraine Summit

Poroshenko stresses that the upcoming meeting will be the first Ukraine-EU summit since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion and the first since Ukraine received the status of an EU candidate. "It is symbolic because it shows both the courage and determination of the EU leadership and the fact that they are our true friends," he believes.

"Last week in Brussels, I had numerous talks with members of the European Commission, representatives of the European External Action Service, and members of the European Parliament. Separate work was carried out with the Secretary General and the entire NATO leadership at the Alliance headquarters. Support for Ukraine is absolute and unconditional. The unity and solidarity with Ukraine are unshakable and unprecedented," Poroshenko said, calling for this unity to be used in favor of Ukraine's European integration.

In his opinion, the summit should clearly state that the principle of "helping Ukraine survive" should be replaced by the principle of "supporting Ukraine until victory." This includes weapons, tanks, airplanes, military training and financial assistance.

"Secondly, strengthening sanction pressure on Russia as one of the key factors of victory. Western weapons + sanctions + the courage of our Armed Forces equals victory over Russian aggression," Poroshenko said. 

Poroshenko emphasizes that further coordination is needed to increase and improve macro-financial, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and to launch a post-war reconstruction program with transparent mechanisms for reporting and control over the use of funds.

"Fourth, restoring justice and holding Putin's war criminals accountable. We have to take real steps regarding the establishing a special international tribunal for crimes of aggression against our country ," the former president insists.

He also expects a decision to start negotiations on Ukraine joining the EU in 2023. "And finally, at the NATO summit in July, a decision should be made to invite Ukraine to join the Alliance," Petro Poroshenko said.

"Last year, the Ukrainian authorities gave a promise to fulfill seven preconditions for such negotiations within the strategy of national unity. We support all efforts in this direction. It is obvious how important homework is to achieve the criteria for EU membership. The pace of integration into the EU depends primarily on Ukraine and its authorities. If in the fall the EU does not recognize Ukraine's proper fulfillment of the seven prerequisites and does not approve the decision to give the green light to start pre-accession negotiations, Ukrainian society will not forgive it," the former president warns.

"We sincerely wish the authorities success, we are ready to lend a shoulder and work together, because membership in the EU and NATO is our strategic goal and national idea. The same as the army, the same as the language, the same as the faith. Time has put everything in its place. Let's not forget for a moment that both the Association Agreement and the membership application were signed with the blood of Ukrainian heroes," Poroshenko summarizes.