Ukraine would be best helped by the strong commitment of the European Union and EU candidate membership, said Oleksiy Chernyshov, Special Representative of the President of Ukraine.
Ukraine is in a hurry to start EU membership talks.
The president of the country Volodymyr Zelensky Special Representative Oleksiy Chernyshov visited Helsinki on Wednesday to seek Finnish support for Ukraine’s EU project.
Ukraine hopes for a green light for candidate membership at the EU summit in late June.
Chernyshov said in an interview with that it would be a strong message and a welcome message for Ukrainians. Candidate membership for the Ukrainian government would provide a roadmap for developing the country to meet EU standards.
Changes don’t happen in an instant. Chernyshov says Ukrainians understand this.
“The EU flag is already part of our lives”
In 2014, protests in Kiev’s Maidan Square fluttered the EU’s blue flag. According to Chernyshov, the habit has not disappeared:
– The flag of the European Union is already a part of our lives. It flies next to the Ukrainian flag, for example, at my office.
Chernyshov serves as Ukraine’s Minister of Municipal and Regional Development. In Helsinki, he met with the Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnarin (sd.), Minister of Europe Tytti Tuppurainen (sd.) and the Minister of Local Government Sirpa Paateron (sd.), as well as Finnish MPs.
The message was the same for everyone: promoting Ukraine’s EU membership. Chernyshov estimates that the project could take years – but not decades, as the French president Emmanuel Macron is anticipated. Ukraine needs to change in order to join the EU.
– We have already surprised the world with our perseverance, and we will do so in preparation for membership of the European Union, promises the Special Envoy of the President of Ukraine.
“Finns support Ukrainians from the heart”
Chernyshov lists Ukraine’s change projects: political institution and economic development, the rule of law and the rule of law.
According to him, the reforms have already begun, despite the attack already launched by Russia in 2014.
– The war is not a reason to abandon economic reform, says Chernyshov, citing Ukraine’s praise from the European Commission.
is conducting an interview near the Helsinki Market Square, where Ukrainian flags are flying on the roofs of many houses. The guest who came to Finland via Austria and Sweden has noticed the mood of the Finns.
– When I got on a Finnair plane, the staff almost expressed tears in their eyes. The Finns wholeheartedly support the Ukrainians.
“Finland’s battle in the Winter War is a lesson for us”
Chernyshov recalls the historical similarities between Ukraine and Finland, and mentions the famous war of 1939-40, as he calls the Winter War.
– The struggle of Finns for the integrity of their country is a great lesson for us.
Chernyshov also brings up a more timely parable. As Ukraine seeks membership of the European Union, Finland and Sweden are applying for NATO.
– In this case, countries may come up with strange views to block membership or trade. I think there are commonalities here, says Chernyshov.
– Now Ukraine is fighting for its existence and territorial integrity. It would be best helped by the strong commitment of the European Union and the roadmap for full EU membership offered by candidate membership.