“It’s time to wake up, unite, and stand with Ukraine – the country fighting for our common future”

Katarina Mathernova, Ambassador of the European Union in Ukraine, during the 4th EU Accession Exchange Forum emphasized that Ukraine’s EU accession process is not only a technical or political challenge, but a historic mission for both Ukraine and Europe. She highlighted Ukraine’s progress on reforms despite the ongoing full-scale war, called for unity and strategic courage in Europe, and underlined that helping Ukraine prevail is essential for lasting peace on the continent.

We bring key points of the speech:

Ukraine’s reforms under wartime conditions are unprecedented in speed and depth. Ukraine is writing the playbook on how to reform during wartime, using the cohesion of a nation fighting for survival to push through reforms that were once impossible. Anytime there is a criticism about slowdowns, one should be reminded that no other country has ever reformed this fast, in these conditions;
Ukraine’s bid has revitalized enlargement, benefiting Moldova and Western Balkan countries. Before 2022, enlargement was barely discussed. Ukraine’s application on 28th of February, on the 4th day of full-scale invasion, changed that. Moldova and the Western Balkans are now advancing faster thanks to renewed political will within the EU;
The future of Ukraine and the EU is inseparable – Europe’s security and identity depend on Ukraine’s victory. ‘Our only hope as a continent is to help Ukraine prevail in this war and to have Ukraine be with us. Its army alongside our armies, its resilience, its innovation, its technology as part of us. The future of Ukraine is the future of Europe. And if we don’t realize it yet, it’s time to wake up`;
Hybrid threats pose ongoing risks that require vigilance and unity. Russia doesn’t need to bomb cities to take over a country. Hybrid warfare is real through disinformation, cyberattacks, assassinations, and infiltration;
Even in the absence of formal negotiations, Ukraine’s transformation should be continued. According to the Ambassador, this may not bring immediate rewards, but the work must go on so that when the moment of opportunity and consensus comes, Ukraine is ready and does not lose time. Because if the reforms stop now and Kyiv waits for that consensus, it will be a waste of precious time.

Watch the full recording of the Forum on New Europe Center`s Youtube channel via the link.

The EU Accession Exchange Forum is organized by the New Europe Center in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, the International Renaissance Foundation, and the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (Republic of Moldova), with Ukrinform and European Pravda serving as media partners. The EU Accession Exchange Forum is taking place with EU support, within the EU-funded “Whole-of-Society Accession” project implemented by the International Renaissance Foundation.