Today, Ukraine and Moldova officially opened the first negotiation cluster on the path to EU membership.
This historic decision helps define what Europe will look like in the decades ahead and what kind of Europe we will leave to future generations.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion in an attempt to block Ukraine’s European choice, to deny our European future. But this plan has failed. Ukraine is moving closer to the European Union than ever before. Every step of our accession process is proof that coercion, terror, and war cannot stop a nation from choosing its own path. Path of dignity, freedom and justice.
Ukraine completed the screening process faster than any candidate country in the history of EU enlargement. We have fulfilled the conditions to open all negotiating clusters. We are ready to move forward. There is no objective reason for delay.
EU enlargement is not charity. It is an investment in a stronger, safer, and more resilient Europe. Europe that will be better equipped to defend itself against future threats. Ukraine’s accession will strengthen the Union politically, economically, and strategically.
I thank the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, the European Commission, and all EU member states for their support and joint efforts that made this decision possible.
On this day we opened the first cluster. Our goal remains unchanged: to open all remaining clusters as soon as possible and move steadily toward full EU membership.
Today's decision sends a message far beyond Brussels, Luxembourg, Kyiv, or Chișinău.
Europe moves forward.
Ukraine moves forward.
And no one has a veto over our future.