Hoping to quickly join the EU, Ukraine places its hopes on Poland

Ukraine expects to open parallel negotiating groups for EU accession when Poland takes over the bloc's presidency in the first half of 2025.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski (R) and his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha visit the Memorial Wall for Fallen Defenders of Ukraine outside Saint Michael's Cathedral, in Kiev, Ukraine, September 13. (Source: Reuters)

According to Reuters , on September 14, welcoming Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski to visit, his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha stated that the European Union's (EU) long-term budget planning and other strategic decisions must take into account the political reality of Ukraine's future membership.

"We expect significant progress in the negotiations on Ukraine's EU membership during Poland's presidency in the first half of next year. We also look forward to the parallel opening of negotiating groups," Sybiha said.

The two foreign ministers discussed deeper defense cooperation and key steps allies should take to strengthen Ukraine.

According to Mr. Sybiha, one of the main topics of discussion with Mr. Sikorski was the development of border infrastructure and logistics, as well as the possibility of increasing the rail connection between the Ukrainian capital Kiev and Poland.

Earlier, on September 12, according to RT (Russia), the Russian comedian duo Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov, known by their stage names Vovan and Lexus, released a video featuring Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski. In the video, Vovan and Lexus asked Mr. Sikorski whether Warsaw was ready to “join the group” to fight the Russian army on the territory claimed by Ukraine.

“Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is very hesitant about that,” Mr. Sikorski replied.

The official added that even Poland’s proposal to shoot down Russian cruise missiles over western Ukraine with interceptor missiles was “highly controversial,” as it would mean entering the conflict.

“If the front starts to collapse, things could change. But right now, Poland has no intention of doing that,” the diplomat said.

“However, Polish soldiers will not be able to fight in Ukraine. Unless there is a peace agreement, and it is a peacekeeping force, the United Nations or something else. Then the situation will be different,” Sikorski said, noting that Warsaw is ready to train Ukrainian soldiers and facilitate the return of Ukrainian citizens who are eligible for military service.

Mr. Sikorsky said that other NATO members would not intervene in the conflict in Ukraine either, because no country wanted a war with Russia in Western Europe. According to him, this was an “absolute red line.”

However, the Polish Foreign Minister argued that the US will continue to send military aid to Ukraine.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/mong-nhanh-chong-gia-nhap-eu-ukraine-gui-gam-ky-vong-vao-ba-lan-286378.html