The future of Ukraine is in the EU, the future of the EU is with Ukraine, and we will make every effort to ensure that our path to the European Union is fast, and does not take years and decades. The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal emphasized during a joint press conference in Brussels with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and the European Union Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi.

"Ukrainian society and the authorities are absolutely firm in our desire to become an EU member, and that is why we are moving fast in the implementation of the Association Agreement, the signing of sectoral "visa-free" and integration into the EU internal market. We are grateful for the EU's positive assessment of Ukraine's progress in reforms in recent months and stand ready to move to a specific road map for joining the EU at the end of this year," stressed the Prime Minister of Ukraine.

Denys Shmyhal also noted that energy, economic, transport and customs visa waivers with the EU increase the stability of our state during the armed aggression of russia. At the same time, according to the Head of the Ukrainian Government, sanctions against the aggressor country should be intensified.

"A complete embargo in the energy sector, as well as the disconnection of all russian and belarusian banks from SWIFT, are the first steps we expect from the EU and our other partners. russia is waging an energy war against the European Union, and Europe should respond accordingly," said Denys Shmyhal.

EU High Representative Josep Borrell, in turn, emphasized that the EU would support Ukraine financially, politically and militarily as much as suffices to ensure the victory.

"We are determined to build a strong, prosperous Ukraine as part of the European family," noted Josep Borrell.

Also, EU High Representative Josep Borrell and EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi noted Ukraine's important progress in the implementation of reforms, which had taken place despite russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.