European Parliament urges Ukraine to continue reforms and fight corruption
European Parliament urges Ukraine to continue reforms and fight corruption (photo: Getty Images)
Members of the European Parliament called on the Ukrainian government to continue implementing reforms related to future EU membership as well as efforts to combat corruption, the European Parliament press service reported.
The resolution, prepared on the basis of the report of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, which analyzed Ukraine's efforts to join the EU against the backdrop of Russia's ongoing aggressive war, was adopted with 418 votes in favor, 135 against, and 41 abstentions.
Members of the European Parliament reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and emphasized that any peaceful solution must respect the will of the Ukrainian people and not be imposed by any other international actor.
MEPs want Ukraine to step up reforms in the areas of the rule of law, the judiciary, and the fight against corruption.
"Commending Ukraine on its extraordinary efforts in strengthening its democratic institutions, MEPs encourage Kyiv to maintain this reform momentum," the press service stated.
It is emphasized that transparent and merit-based selection processes for judicial and anti-corruption bodies are important, and Ukraine is urged to intensify reforms in the fields of the rule of law and public administration, as well as anti-corruption measures, "as progress in these areas is critical not only for EU membership but also for successful reconstruction and economic trust."
Parliament also called on the European Commission to open negotiation clusters to advance Ukraine's EU membership application as quickly as possible, provided that EU rules continue to be implemented and already initiated reforms are completed.
The report also expresses deep concern regarding the shift in the United States' position on Russia's aggressive war under President Donald Trump.
In light of these events, members of the European Parliament emphasized that the EU and its member states must remain strategic allies of Ukraine and must strengthen their leadership role in supporting Ukraine's struggle for sovereignty, peace, and justice.
They took into account the recent meeting between President Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska and stressed that it openly contrasts with the massive escalation of Russian attacks against Ukraine, which once again proves that Russia is not at all interested in peace but rather in subjugating Ukraine.
They also called on Trump to act in accordance with his statement that the United States would impose further decisive economic sanctions against Russia and those countries that fuel its war machine.
In addition, members of the European Parliament reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to ensuring security guarantees for Ukraine and stated that all necessary measures must be taken to strengthen Ukraine's armed forces and defense industry.
Ukraine's EU accession
The European Union cannot start accession negotiations with Ukraine solely due to the position of pro-Russian Hungary. Budapest has vetoed the start of negotiations.
At the same time, Lithuania has proposed a plan to begin accession talks without Hungary's consent. According to Vilnius's idea, the technical launch of negotiations could be carried out at the level of 26 member states of the bloc.
President of the European Council António Costa also believes that negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU should continue despite Hungary's veto.
Meanwhile, Ukraine expects EU countries to make a decision on the start of accession negotiations in the near future.
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka stated that Ukraine has reached the "home stretch" of the review of its legislation for compliance with EU norms. The agricultural cluster remains.
