Almost 90% of Ukraine’s population is in favor of EU membership. Many believe that the road to the EU will be long and difficult.
KIOVA Herman Novik is from Odessa. A few years ago, he graduated from a polytechnic in Germany and moved to Milan, Italy in search of work. Yesterday, he followed with excitement the EU summit that decided to grant Ukraine candidate status.
– I was really in the mood for the news. It proves that our efforts and activity have not been in vain, Novik tells in a telephone interview from Italy.
He says the war has strengthened the Ukrainian people and united Ukrainians living abroad. Every week since the end of February, Novik has been demonstrating in front of the Milan Cathedral for peace and a European Ukraine.
– We see that the European road is the most efficient and logical of all for Ukraine, Novik says.
The people of Kiev calmly received the news
Ukrainians living abroad seem to be the most enthusiastic about Ukraine’s candidacy for membership.
Ordinary Kievans, on the other hand, received the news surprisingly calmly. The Kievans interviewed by did not really know or wanted to comment on the matter, let alone appear in the story with their own faces.
– I am not interested in politics, so I am not qualified to comment on this matter, said Anna, who is walking with her daughter.
– It is not appropriate to discuss this when people die, says Inna, who is waiting for her friend.
The first to agree to answer questions in the center of Kiev on humanitarian aid queued Lyubov. But he didn’t want to be photographed or tell his last name.
Lyubov is cautiously optimistic about EU candidacy.
– I would like Ukraine to join the EU, but it will not happen very soon. After all, Turkey has been a candidate for 20 years. The fact that we became a candidate does not mean that we will be accepted as a member immediately, Ljubov says.
According to him, there are problems on both the European and Ukrainian sides.
– Yes, people want Europe, but I don’t think Ukraine is ready for it yet. Everything can get worse and there is no certainty that the European Union will be able to help us.
87% of Ukrainians are in favor of EU membership
Although the people of Kiev are not too enthusiastic about the candidacy, the Ukrainian leadership reacted emotionally to it. President Volodymyr Zelenskyi described the decision as unique and historic.
– I am grateful to Charles Michel, Ursula von der Leyen and the leaders of the EU countries for their support. Ukraine’s future lies in the EU, Zelenskyi wrote on Twitter.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba commented on the news, saying that Ukraine and Europe “together will be superior”.
– This day marks the beginning of a long journey we are taking together. The people of Ukraine belong to the European family. We will work together for peace, Kuleba said.
Surveys according to (you switch to another service) Ukraine’s leaders have strong popular support for the EU. 87% of Ukrainians support EU membership and only 4% oppose it. Support for EU membership is equally high in all parts of the country and in all age groups.
Europeans also want Ukraine for their family
Europeans also support Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Released in May research (switch to another service) according to two-thirds of Europeans see membership as a good thing.
Among them is the Polish Martin Szczyglewskiwho has come from Wrocław to Kiev to meet a friend.
– I really want Ukraine to be part of Europe. In ten or fifteen years at the latest, Ukraine will become a member of the EU, Szczyglewski believes.
He believes that Ukraine’s membership will make Europe even bigger and stronger.
Like Szczyglewski, 81% of Poles support Ukraine’s EU membership. It is the fourth highest figure after Portugal, Estonia and Lithuania.
Ukraine also has a lot to offer
Herman Novik is also convinced that Ukraine has something to give Europe.
– Ukraine shows such resilience, civic spirit and unity that it is sure to enrich European culture.
Novik believes that in the short term, candidate status will help Ukraine repair the damage caused by the war.
– The status of a candidate is an important factor in improving the financial situation. EU aid is critical when it comes to the infrastructure destroyed by the Russian invasion or the entire destroyed cities like Mariupol, which has already become a legend, he says.
Novik says that Ukraine can become a member of the EU only after the war is over.
– We can join the EU when we have defeated our enemies and when our old conflict is over, Novik says.