Against the background of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has been going on for almost a year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is insisting on his country’s plans to join the European Union (EU), dpa reported on Wednesday.

Kyiv is waiting for “news” from the Ukraine-EU summit, which will be held at the end of this week, Zelenskyy said in his video message on Tuesday evening. “We are waiting for decisions (news) from our EU partners that correspond to our progress. Progress, which is obviously there – and even despite a large-scale war,” Zelenskyy said.

The President of Ukraine once again emphasized that a lot of work has been done on reforms in Kyiv.

On February 24 last year, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine as part of what it calls a “special military operation” with the stated goal of “demilitarizing” and “denazifying” this neighboring country, but Kyiv and the West consider it an unprovoked and unjustified aggression. .

The war further strengthened the aspirations of many Ukrainians for their country’s entry into the EU as soon as possible. Ukraine has been a candidate for EU membership since June. However, the granting of the status of a member of the EU is connected with the fulfillment of several conditions, in particular, the strengthening of the fight against corruption.

Usually, the process of joining the EU lasts several years.