On June 23-24, 2022, the European Council will consider the granting Ukraine the candidate status for accession to the European Union (EU).

For the EU, this is a chance and an opportunity to prove its support and solidarity with Ukraine, which is fighting for its European choice while Russian aggression (invasion).

For Ukraine, on the one hand, the EU candidate status puts an end to the strategic uncertainty in relations with the EU and, on the other hand, is an additional impetus for internal transformations and a significant moral and political stimulus for citizens who defend their freedom and European future.

The EU candidate status is of primarily political and security character. It is about the political will and determination of the EU leaders together with Ukraine to resist Russian aggression, which poses a threat to the whole Europe. The Ukrainian army for a long time defends the Eastern flank of the EU, taking the blow of the aggressor country's military power.

Almost 30 years of experience track towards the EU is an another argument in favor of Ukraine, in the context of which Ukraine has passed difficult tests and achieved a high level of integration with European countries in numerous fields. This is confirmed by the successful implementation of the large-scale Ukraine-EU Association Agreement and Ukraine's desire to deepen its integration with the EU in all areas.

We are forced to state that the situation with Ukraine's membership in the EU remains unfortunately uncertain due to the contradictory and waiting position of the leaders of some Western European countries. At the same time, the alternative formats of cooperation, that are offered, are unacceptable.

Due to the Ukrainian law, public councils under central authorities of Ukraine are advisory bodies and ensure public participation in the formation and implementation of public policy. They are formed from leading civil society institutions and elected by rating vote from a number of candidates.

Members of public councils under central authorities direct their efforts to promote the idea of granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for the EU membership and call on European expert circles to intensify their work in this direction.

We believe that failure to resolve (postpone) the issue of candidate status for Ukraine will be a crucial mistake of the EU, which will have irreversible consequences due to:   

- intensifying the actions of the aggressor country, which will perceive such a decision as the "defeat" of Europe and the "success of the special operation" in Ukraine;

- discrediting the EU's eastern policy;

- disappointment of Ukrainian society, which is fighting for the right to be the part of Europe;

- increasing internal differences in the EU.

We draw attention to the favorable dynamics for Ukraine, namely of social and political moods in Europe, noticeable pro-Ukrainian changes in public consciousness, positions of political forces, business, expert circles etc. Ukraine needs the strong support and consolidated position of the EU member states, the European Parliament as well as the solidarity of international institutions and the world's leading states.

Our statement is addressed to all those from whom is depended granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for the EU membership. We call on all the EU leaders to take it into account when considering the issue.

Public Council at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Public Council at the Ministry of  of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine

Public Council at the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine

Public Council at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

Public Council at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine

Public Council at the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine

Public Council at the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine

Public Council at the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine

Public Council at the State Treasury of Ukraine