Borrell spoke about difficulties for Ukraine on its way to joining the EU

Ukraine’s accession to the EU will be preceded by a “difficult battle”; Kyiv will have to work hard for this. This was stated by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell during a speech to staff of the EU mission in Kyiv, broadcast led press service of the European Commission.

“We support Ukraine on two fronts – in the war and in its becoming a member of the European Union. The first is a terrible fight, the second is a difficult fight. Not terrible, since people don’t die, but it will still be difficult, and you have to do everything to make Ukrainian society work for it. This is a serious promise from the European Union, it cannot be empty,” he said (cit. according to TASS).

According to Borrell, Ukraine’s accession to the EU cannot happen “neither tomorrow nor the day after tomorrow.” “But we want this to happen sooner rather than later, because this is the best guarantee of Ukraine’s security,” he added.

Kyiv submitted documents to join the EU at the end of February 2022. Four months later, the country officially became a candidate for membership in the organization. A year later, according to European Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, the Ukrainian authorities fulfilled two of the seven conditions for EU membership – they reformed the High Council of Justice and the High Qualifications Commission of Judges and adopted a law on the media. In addition, the authorities have enshrined Ukraine’s desire to join the EU in the country’s constitution.