Ukraine has finally received a positive assessment from the European Commission, which has called on the bloc's member states to start negotiations on the country's integration into the EU. Find out if and, if so, when the negotiations will start

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The European Commission, the bloc's most influential body, has recommended that EU member states start membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova. We tell you what this means and what to expect next.

The European Commission said that Ukraine and Moldova were ready enough to formally start negotiations on EU membership.

Ukraine, for its part, has fully completed all four reform steps, while Moldova has completed three. Reforming was necessary for the start of formal negotiations. Thus, Kiev fulfilled the following conditions:

- anti-corruption;

- de-oligarchization;

- protection of national minorities;

- restriction on political lobbying.

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What to expect next?

Ukraine has already reacted to the European Commission's decision. Prime Minister Denys Shmygal thanked for the positive assessment of Ukraine's European integration progress.

He also confirmed the EC's assessment that Ukraine continues systematic efforts to join the EU and has implemented all 4 additional reform steps. 

Now Ukraine, according to Prime Minister, expects the European partners to take the next step - the start of negotiations on EU membership. They are scheduled for this month already.

“The Ukrainian people are fighting every day for the right to be in the circle of the European family in the war against the russian aggressor,” he added.

However, it is worth recalling that elections have already begun in the European Parliament, and at the moment the situation there is ambiguous.

What to expect from the relations between Ukraine and the EU against the background of the elections?

The fact is that on the eve of the elections exit polls showed an increase in the share of far-right deputies in the European Parliament up to 25% (they are expected to win 184 seats), while the center-left, liberal and green parties (supporting Ukraine), on the contrary, will lose their mandates.

Some political analysts suggest that the Ukraine-supporting situation may change, as right-wing parties often have more “pro-russian views.”

Meanwhile, other analysts give opposite predictions. In their opinion, the majority of MEPs of the new convocation are likely to support the continuation of financial and military aid to Ukraine, but taking into account the mood inside their countries.

It is worth noting that there are several examples in the EU when right-wing leaders unequivocally favor support for Ukraine. Among them is Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Maloney, with whose rise to power Ukraine received air defense systems and other weapons from Italy.

Read more about the European Parliament elections and what to expect for Ukraine after them here.

Photo: depositphotos/paulgrecaud

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