Envoy unveils possible timeframe of Ukraine's entering EU

Ambassador of Ukraine to the EU Vsevolod Chentsov has said that Ukraine had a very real chance of becoming a member of the European Union this decade.

Chentsov made the remarks in an interview with European Pravda.

He noted that Ukraine’s European integration path in 2022 is a unique precedent because this year the process that other countries have been going through for years was “squeezed”.  

If to look at the results of the latest Eurobarometer opinion poll, even countries with previously sceptical sentiments are supporting assistance to Ukraine and its entry into the EU in the future, according to him.

"Finally, it became clear that Ukraine is a value for the EU, for Europe, that the European Union is becoming different," the diplomat said.

As for the start of negotiations on membership, in his opinion, the process could start "very soon".

“In terms of legislation, the work has already been done and, hopefully, in the spring, when the European Commission presents a preliminary assessment, we will understand the real picture and what we still need to do,” he said.

According to Chentsov, it would be incorrect to say that someone is currently hindering Ukraine's further movement into the EU.

"There is a history of expansion and each particular state has its own understanding... What is the position of those we call sceptics? That the process has to be credible - meaningful, and credible. That is, that is their main caveat. And we have to prove that we are serious about this, that our goal is, among other things, to strengthen the EU by acquiring the membership," the diplomat explained.

He added that Hungary would not be able to blackmail the entire EU indefinitely with its veto power in joint decisions - particularly those concerning Ukraine.