First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Kornienko said that Ukraine will probably become a full member of NATO before it joins the European Union. He said this during the "geopolitical dialogue" organized by the Center for European Politics in Brussels.
"I would not like to be a forecaster, but, in my opinion, we will become members of NATO before the European Union. This is connected with certain traditions of EU expansion," the politician said.
Kornienko also said that he visited Brussels as part of a state delegation to discuss an important stage of the integration process — the screening of Ukrainian legislation for compliance with European standards. This process is a key condition for any country to join the EU.
The politician drew attention to the fact that the enlargement of the EU always took place after the elections to the European Parliament, which will next be held in 2029. In his opinion, this could be a possible window for the next wave of expansion. However, he admitted that five years in politics is a long period, and it is difficult to predict how events will develop.
Kornienko confirmed that Ukraine is making every effort to prepare for EU membership and is ready to work on reforms necessary for joining both unions. He also emphasized that the decision regarding Ukraine's membership will depend on the will of the EU member states.
It is worth noting that the first intergovernmental conference between Ukraine and the EU was held in Luxembourg in June 2023, and the European Council has already announced the start of negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union.
