European Council President Antonio Costa is convinced that Ukraine’s future membership in the European Union is the best guarantee of security and long-term democratic stability for both Ukrainians and Europeans.
He made the statement on Monday in Kyiv, speaking at a ceremony marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.
"Ukraine’s future in the European Union is the best guarantee of security and long-term democratic stability – for Ukraine and for Europe as a whole. Our goal is Ukraine’s integration into the European Union’s peace project: a union of nations that have overcome nationalism, that uphold democracy and the rule of law, and that work together for shared prosperity and development," Costa said.
He noted that "accession is a demanding process." "But these challenges must not block our political determination, which is rooted in geopolitical necessity and the free, democratic choice of the Ukrainian people," the European Council president stressed.
Costa also said that Ukraine has already helped "build a new, truly geopolitical European Union that is taking responsibility for its own defense, strengthening its strategic autonomy, firmly upholding international law and multilateralism, building partnerships in a changing world, and welcoming new member states." "And it is ready to welcome Ukraine into the EU," he assured.
The European Council president stressed that "international law must prevail, and Russia will not win," and that in "more than four years of full-scale war, Russia has not achieved its goals." According to Costa, the EU’s unprecedented sanctions "are also having an impact." "We will keep increasing the pressure until Russia stops the killing and demonstrates a genuine commitment to peace. The European Union cannot be neutral when international law is being violated. We are not neutral; we support Ukraine. We support all serious initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine. But ultimately, it is Ukraine – and only Ukraine – that must determine the terms of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. This peace must affirm Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. And it must guarantee Ukraine’s long-term security and its ability to defend itself," Costa added.
He recalled that the European Council convened on the very first day of Russia’s full-scale war, Feb 24, 2022, to "step up European support for Ukraine." "European solidarity has remained strong and unwavering ever since. We have always stood with you in providing political, financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support, and in jointly building the Coalition of the Willing, which will provide you with reliable security guarantees after this terrible war ends, so that it never happens again. We will continue to provide as much support as necessary, for as long as necessary – during the war, in future peace talks and during reconstruction. Because our vision extends beyond the war," the European Council president assured.
Costa closed his remarks with words from Lesia Ukrainka: "He who frees himself will be free."
