"Ten years ago, Ukrainians with the flags of Ukraine and the European Union came out to the Revolution of Dignity to defend our European choice," said the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, following the decision of the European Council to open negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
Ruslan Stefanchuk recalled that 655 days ago, on 28 February 2022, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, he and the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal signed an application for EU membership: "When the enemy mercilessly bombed our cities, launching a full-scale invasion."
"Ukraine is one step closer to full membership in the European Union. This is a historic decision. And we are paying an extremely high price for this decision," said the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine.
He emphasised that the Armed Forces of Ukraine, our soldiers, prove every day what a victorious struggle for a free future and a free Ukraine is, for the fact that there will be no russia in Ukraine, for Ukraine to be in a free Europe.
Ruslan Stefanchuk expressed his gratitude to the defenders for their daily defence of Ukraine and our choice, to all European leaders for their unity, to the President of Ukraine for his leadership, to the Ukrainian Parliament for its unity and speed, and to the Government for its efficiency: "I thank everyone who has made and will continue to make efforts for Ukraine's full membership in the EU."
"I thank the courageous Ukrainian people! The people whose "truth has never been conquered by anyone". To the united people. The unbreakable People. To the victorious people," the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine said in conclusion.