Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said both Ukraine and the European Union must do everything to start negotiations on Ukrainian membership in the EU in the first half of 2024.

"I held several meetings on our international work. First, the European Union. Next steps towards full membership. Yesterday, the European Commission finalized the Negotiating Framework. Next, we are waiting for the decision of European leaders on its approval. It will be an important and strong signal for both Ukraine and the entire European community to do everything possible to start negotiations as early as during the Belgian presidency in the first half of this year," Zelenskyy said in a video address.

This, in his words, "this should be our common pace, both for Ukraine and the EU. We have a clear sequence of steps and I am confident that we can achieve the result."

The head of state also said he held a meeting "on the American vector of our policy. We discussed how to give more proper impulses to our work with partners and joint pressure on the Russian state throughout this year."