The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, met with Danish Parliament Member Louise Schack Elholm.
The parties discussed the security situation, European integration, and reforms in Ukraine.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze thanked Denmark for its leadership in supporting Ukraine. She noted that Ukraine has high hopes for Denmark's presidency of the EU Council, which will last until the end of this year. She hopes that during this time, obstacles to the opening of negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU will be removed.
They also discussed Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. The Chair of the Committee insisted that Ukraine's membership in NATO cannot be subject to any bargaining. "It is only up to Ukraine and NATO member states to decide when Ukraine will be able to join the Alliance. Denmark has repeatedly confirmed its support for the irreversibility of Ukraine's path to NATO membership. We hope for continued support," said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. She noted that security guarantees similar to those provided by Article 5 of the Alliance could be a transitional stage for Ukraine until it becomes a full member of NATO. ‘But it is critically important not to give russia the right to decide our future and the future of the Alliance,’ stressed the chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU.
She also believes that it is unacceptable to discuss any territorial exchanges during possible negotiations between Ukraine and russia, because we are talking about people on Ukrainian soil who are waiting to return home. In this context, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze stressed that the only effective method of countering russia is force and pressure, both military and sanctions.
During the meeting, considerable attention was paid to discussing internal political processes in Ukraine and the implementation of reforms. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze expressed concern about the regression of many democratic achievements that seemed irreversible after the Revolution of Dignity. This applies, in particular, to attacks on anti-corruption bodies. Therefore, according to the Committee Chair, European and Western partners will now pay even closer attention to everything that is happening in Ukraine. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze is confident that this attention will help to maintain the reforms that have been started and guarantee their irreversibility. ‘We must focus on our homework. And although the situation is very difficult due to the war, we must take advantage of this historic opportunity to complete the reforms and become a full member of the EU,’ she said.
Louise Shack Elholm expressed her admiration for the courage and bravery of Ukrainians in their struggle for their country and independence. She assured that Denmark would continue to support Ukraine in its fight against russian aggression and on the path of reforms necessary for EU accession.