Accelerating Ukraine's EU accession is one of Europe's strongest responses to Russian attacks — Zelenskyi
The head of state noted that it was a difficult day for Ukraine. Overnight, Russia launched another massive attack on Ukrainian cities, leaving people dead and injured and causing widespread destruction and fires. A Russian drone also struck the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a Christian holy site whose history dates back to the 11th century. At the same time, Zelenskyi said Ukrainians would remember the day because of the decisions being made.
"These are decisions that draw another clear line between Europe and the blunt dictatorship in Moscow — a dictatorship that seeks to destroy our Europe and everything we have built together. What is happening today — the opening of the first cluster in the accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova — is a clear signal that Europe's progress cannot be stopped. We worked hard to reach this moment," Zelenskyi said.
The President noted that Ukraine applied for EU membership alongside Moldova and that both countries received candidate status together.
"We believe that one of the strongest responses Europe can give to Russia's attacks and ongoing acts of aggression is to accelerate our accession process and speed up the opening of negotiation clusters. It often feels as though we always have to fight harder than others to move forward on our path to the EU. Ukraine has earned the right to move faster. And that is exactly the political decision Europe needs today," the Head of State stressed.
Zelenskyi expressed confidence that opening all six negotiation clusters would demonstrate a clear European response to Russia's escalating attacks and its continued refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations.
"We offered Putin a meeting in any location where real decisions to end the war could be made. He does not want it. We discussed with the United States and France the possibility of meeting with Russia on the sidelines of the G7 summit, with all democratic countries participating. Putin does not want it. Yesterday, we discussed with President Trump the possibility of organizing such a meeting in the United States in a format that would make it much more difficult for Putin to refuse, at least to President Trump. We will see what comes of it," Zelenskyi said.
According to the President, if Russia refuses negotiations once again, sanctions pressure must be increased. He emphasized that additional sanctions, along with accelerating the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the European Union, are the political decisions that would demonstrate determination and resilience.
The President also thanked Ukraine's partners for their willingness to continue supporting the country's defense both on a bilateral basis and through the PURL program.
"I want to thank each and every one of you. Thank you to all the leaders. Thank you, Ursula. Thank you, António. Thank you all. And thank you to every European heart that knows: Europe will defeat the Russian dictatorship. And, of course, I am grateful to every Ukrainian, to all our people, to the millions of Ukrainians who are defending our country, putting Russia in its place, and achieving the results Ukraine needs — and therefore the results Europe needs. Thank you," the president concluded.
On June 15, during the European Union Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg, EU member states agreed to open the first of six negotiation clusters related to the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the European Union.
The cluster, titled "Fundamentals," is the cornerstone of the accession process, covering issues related to the judiciary, the rule of law, and fundamental rights. Its opening marks the beginning of substantive and formal accession negotiations between Ukraine and the EU.
Under the accession framework, five additional clusters are to be opened:
Ukraine has stated that it is ready to open the remaining five clusters as early as this month.
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18 of June 2026
