The EU flag was solemnly installed in the Verkhovna Rada

On the 128th day of the war, the EU flag was solemnly set in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. During the meeting, the deputies also listened to the online address of the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. According to Reuters.

In her speech, der Leyen emphasized that Ukraine now has a very clear European perspective, but the path to EU membership will take time and will require hard work. Therefore, Ukraine “has a long way ahead.”

– Europe will be at your side at every turn, for as long as it takes, from these dark days of war until the moment you cross the threshold of the doors leading to our EU , said von der Leyen.

She noted that many of the most important reforms need to be carried out as soon as possible. And that the next steps for membership are “within reach but will require hard work.” Among them are the adoption of a law on the media, the introduction of new laws to reduce the excessive influence of oligarchs, and the appointment of top officials to fight corruption.

President Zelensky: We walked for 115 days

The leader of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the deputies. He stressed that on July 1, in the council, he signs, he, together with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and the Prime Minister, sign the Joint Statement, which “is a signal of the unity of all branches of power” and evidence of Ukraine's determination “in achieving the strategic goal of Ukraine, namely full membership in the European Union ”.

– The signing of this statement should mean the same as the signing of the application for entry on the fifth day of the war. We went to the candidacy for 115 days. And our path to membership should not take years or decades. We must overcome this path quickly. Make our part of the job perfect. To enable our friends in the European Union to make another historic decision for us as quickly and in a consolidated manner, the President stressed.

On June 23, the European Union granted Ukraine the status of an EU candidate. The decision was unanimous.