EC compares Ukraine's EU path to cooking borscht: "Let's cook together for a shared future"

The European Commission (EC) has drawn an unusual comparison to explain Ukraine's journey to European Union (EU) membership, likening it to the process of cooking borscht.

European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, used this metaphor to stress the importance of cooperation and patience in the lengthy and complex process of Ukraine's integration into the EU, Caliber.Az reports, referring to international media.

Speaking at a business forum in Brussels, Kos referenced a popular Ukrainian saying: "cooking borscht together." She explained that it symbolizes the collaborative effort needed to complete a difficult and lengthy task with trust and patience.

"It doesn't just mean cooking food," Kos said. "It means doing a long and difficult job together, patiently and with trust. Anyone will tell you that cooking borscht is a complicated business, everyone has their favorite recipe, and you have to agree on which one to use to eat it later. Let's cook borscht together. Let's also build a partnership between Ukraine and the EU."

Kos emphasized the need for significant investment in Ukraine, particularly in the defense industry and future reconstruction. She highlighted the EU’s commitment to helping Ukraine rebuild key infrastructure such as ports, bridges, and roads while adhering to European green principles.

"The European Commission has pledged to provide Ukraine with an additional €9 billion for reconstruction and modernization by the end of 2025," she announced. This pledge is part of the EU's broader efforts to support Ukraine, which has undergone significant reforms in its bid for EU membership.

Kos further elaborated that the reforms Ukraine has undertaken made it eligible for this additional funding, affirming the EU's readiness to support Ukraine’s modernization. "Since Ukraine has carried out significant reforms, we are ready to provide an additional €9 billion by the end of this year," she said.

In line with these efforts, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently announced that the EU had provided Ukraine with another €1 billion ($1.1 billion) in financial support. This sum, part of a larger initiative led by the Group of Seven (G7) economically developed countries, is a loan to be repaid using proceeds from frozen Russian assets within the EU.

Describing the payment as an "investment in a shared common future," von der Leyen stated, "We are backing Ukraine's impressive reform efforts and deepening our ties — from space, security, and defense to building a thriving business environment."

This support is part of the EU’s contribution to a broader G7 initiative aimed at delivering around €45 billion in new aid to Ukraine by 2027. The EU’s share of this aid totals €18.1 billion, with €5 billion already disbursed, including the latest payment.

By Tamilla Hasanova