It seems that the alarm was raised in Kyiv after the announcement of the visit of almost the entire European leadership to the Ukrainian capital on February 3rd. which will be attended by President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Head of European Diplomacy Josep Borrell, President of the European Council Charles Michel and other high-ranking European officials, including commissioners.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who has already declared a “hardline” stance against corruption in his country, is now stepping up his “cleansing” to bring Ukraine one step closer to joining the European Union.

The Ukrainian president, in fact, said yesterday, Tuesday, that the anti-corruption campaign is far from over, noting that he is threatened with the dismissal of all new officials he has appointed who do not meet the established strict anti-corruption standards. to the presidency of Ukraine after the latest removals of politicians allegedly involved in scandals. He also promised to have zero tolerance for wrongdoing or mismanagement.

Although he believes that all the necessary steps have been taken to clean up the corrupt officials of his country, he noted that “this does not mean that all the necessary steps have already been taken. “Those who do not meet the basic requirements of the state and society in the system will not remain in their positions.”

The President of Ukraine has said his government is planning to make changes as part of its efforts to advance unusually fast and complex negotiations to secure membership in the European Union.

“What is very important is that we are preparing new reforms in Ukraine,” he said. “These are reforms that will largely change the social, legal and political reality, making it more humane, transparent and efficient.”

However, as emphasized by a European official who is centrally involved in the preparations for the summit, “We need a reformed Ukraine. We cannot have Ukraine like it was before the war.”

At the same time, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Smyhal declares that his country is committed to securing EU membership within the next two years, given, of course, the historic meeting of Europe and Ukraine on Ukrainian soil.

Smyhal, in fact, told Politico he hoped Ukraine would make a “significant leap forward” on Friday, especially in specific areas such as a visa-free agreement for industrial goods, suspension of customs duties on Ukrainian exports for another year, as long as he wants to “active progress” in terms of joining the SEPA payment system (single euro payment area) and joining Ukraine to the EU mobile roaming area. “We expect progress and acceleration on the way to the signing of these agreements,” the Prime Minister of Ukraine said.

What is the problem; That no European, according to Politico, sees the plan as realistic and workable. In addition, during the preparatory visit of the European Commissioners to Kyiv, probably the main task of the European officials was to meet the expectations of Kyiv, the website reports.

Indecisive and ardent supporters

After all, French President Emmanuel Macron said last year that “decades” could pass before Ukraine joins. Even EU leaders, who backed Ukraine’s candidacy status at last June’s summit, privately admit that the prospect of the country’s actual membership is several years away — and that may be one reason they backed the idea in the first place. Politico.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was in the same mood when he said at the same meeting that Ukraine “has a long way to go.”

On the other hand, Ukraine’s close EU allies, such as Poland and the Baltic states, strongly support Kyiv’s membership, viewing the country as a democracy resisting aggressor.

Many of the EU’s old guardHowever, as Politico points out, they are much more cautious, as Ukraine – the global agricultural superpower – could reduce their own powers and privileges.

Ukraine and Poland – with a combined population of 80 million – could cooperate against “competitive” Germany in the European Council, while some argue that Kyiv would lead to an excessive drain on the EU budget.

In any case, however, the powerful symbolism of this week’s summit is expected to send a strong signal to Moscow about Ukraine’s European aspirations.

European Council President Charles Michel took advantage of his surprise visit to Kyiv this month to reassure Ukraine that EU accession would do no good. will become a reality by telling the Ukrainian Rada (parliament) that he dreams of one day a Ukrainian becoming president of the Council of Europe. “Ukraine is the EU, and the EU is Ukraine,” said Charles Michel.

The main question for Ukrainians, Politico comments, after Friday’s meeting, it will become clear how quickly rhetoric and promises can become reality.

Source: Reuters, Guardian, Politico.