Ukraine is actively working on the reforms necessary to start negotiations on joining the European Union, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk has said.

"We are not just waiting for negotiations on further full-fledged EU membership, we are ready to implement all the necessary reforms for this and are actively working to deepen Ukraine's integration into the EU," Stefanchuk said at a meeting with a delegation of representatives of the European People's Party (EPP) group of the European Parliament headed by EPP President Manfred Weber (Germany) in Kyiv.

According to the website of the Verkhovna Rada, the parties dwelled on the European integration direction of Ukraine, the beginning of negotiations on membership and future cooperation between the EU and Ukraine. According to Stefanchuk, Ukraine is determined to show the maximum result on the implementation of the seven recommendations of the European Commission for the start of negotiations on accession to the European Union during the interim (oral) assessment in the spring.

In addition, the participants discussed reforms on Ukraine's path to NATO, issues of strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation, as well as strengthening sanctions against the Russian Federation, especially in terms of bypassing them through third countries. They also discussed the bans of Russian propaganda media and the issuance of visas to citizens of the Russian Federation; reparations at the expense of funds and confiscation of property of the aggressor country in favor of Ukraine to compensate for the damage caused; restoration and reconstruction of Ukraine after the war with the involvement of representatives of the European business community.

Stefanchuk called on his European colleagues to use all their authority to strengthen and accelerate the supply of weapons, the availability of which is the main issue for Ukraine today.

The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada thanked his European colleagues for the consistent position of the EPP in supporting Ukraine during the full-scale war unleashed by Russia. "Thanks to your leadership and the leadership of the EPP, the issue of Ukraine is constantly on the agenda of the European Parliament. And this is a great value for us. You were the first to say about the need for Ukraine to obtain the status of a candidate in the EU. And today we are proud that the EU flag stands next to the Ukrainian one in our parliament," Stefanchuk said.

He also stressed the importance of the EPP's consistent position on the issue of starting negotiations on Ukraine's full membership in the EU.

In turn, Weber assured his Ukrainian counterpart of the further work of European parliamentarians to strengthen sanctions against the aggressor country and all necessary steps to bring Ukraine's victory in the war closer. "The situation in Ukraine will always be important to us, so Europe should be united, strong and active in your support. Europeans are very close to Ukrainians and stand in solidarity with you in your struggle. And I hope for our common future success in the family of European nations," the EPP President stressed.