Eurointegration dialogue on environmental issues between Ukraine and the EU begins in the European Parliament in Brussels

On 3 June, a Ukraine-EU eurointegration dialogue on environmental issues commenced in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine Svitlana Grynchuk joined representatives from the European Parliament, the European Commission, civil society, and businesses to discuss Ukraine’s preparations for the screening process under Chapter 27, “Environment and Climate Change.” She shared Ukraine’s progress, challenges, and areas needing further improvement during a panel discussion titled “Towards EU Membership: A Greener and Resilient Ukraine.”

Svitlana Grynchuk outlined specific steps towards EU integration.

“We have completed the first formal stage by submitting materials for the bilateral screening under Chapter 27 within Cluster 4. This includes 74 presentations and nearly 700 pages of responses to questionnaires, the result of six months of intensive work. Preparing for the bilateral screening has helped us streamline internal processes on the path to EU accession. We have achieved significant progress despite the war, but we recognise there is still much work ahead. Ukraine remains open to dialogue and values European expertise, experience, and advice,” the Minister emphasised.

Key points from the discussion included:

Virginijus Sinkevičius, former European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and current MEP, noted that every country faced challenges on its eurointegration path, and it was an ongoing process. He highlighted that Ukraine had demonstrated remarkable efforts, even amidst war, particularly in advancing its environmental and climate agenda. The EU’s strength lies in its ability to function as a united organisation of 27 diverse countries capable of responding, adapting, and offering solutions to support Ukraine’s EU accession by 2027.

Margot Wallström, co-chair of the International Working Group on the Environmental Consequences of War, stressed that Ukraine had shown unique leadership by prioritising environmental issues, raising them publicly, and advocating for international standards to measure the war’s environmental impact. She noted that reconstruction could be better, greener, and more sustainable. To support Ukraine’s eurointegration, it needs experts, knowledge, capacity, and tools, with European countries urged to show solidarity and assist in these areas. The Green Week in Brussels aims to enhance understanding of Ukraine’s challenges and needs.

Davor Percan, Head of the Green Diplomacy and Multilateralism Unit at DG ENV, emphasised that eurointegration was a long-term process. He praised the Ukrainian Government’s significant efforts to align national legislation with the EU’s environmental acquis and affirmed that the European Commission and institutions would continue supporting Ukraine.

Benoit Mesnard, Head of Unit at DG ENEST – Ukraine Service, described eurointegration and green reconstruction as a “transformational challenge” for Ukraine. He stressed that the green transition was not a side project but central to this transformation, as rebuilding must be future-oriented. The EU recognises Ukraine’s urgency, expectations, and needs, with a key strategy of gradually integrating Ukraine wherever possible.

The role of civil society in transformational changes was also discussed. Natalia Andrusevych, Chair of the Board of Directors at the Resource and Analysis Centre “Society and Environment,” noted that EU accession preparations required significant efforts and human resources, with civil society playing a crucial role in bringing Ukraine closer to the EU.

“With such strong support from our European partners, we continue to move forward towards structural transformations in the environmental sphere, which are part of Ukraine’s broader path to the EU,” Svitlana Grynchuk concluded.