Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze on European integration: we have a lot of homework

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze took part in the discussion “Integration of Ukraine into the EU: next steps” organised by the Wilson Center in Washington.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze noted that Ukraine's way home to Europe is much longer than, for example, the way of Poland or the Baltic States. But the reason lies not only in Ukraine and the post-colonial legacy but also in the unwillingness of the European side to accept Ukraine earlier. This unreadiness, as well as the constant wavering of the Ukrainian authorities, according to the Chair of the committee, influenced the public opinion of Ukrainians regarding European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Only after the Revolution of Dignity and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, support for European and Euro-Atlantic integration increased unprecedentedly. “Many lessons have been learned from both sides and many conclusions have been drawn. We still have a long way to go, but we believe that we are now much closer to achieving these strategic goals for the country and our future,” said the Chair of the Committee.

According to Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, this path was greatly complicated by the fact that Russia always saw Ukraine as part of its imperial ambitions. Every time the Russian Federation observed the successes of the Ukrainian people, and the transformation of Ukraine into a democratic free European state, it accepted it as the collapse of its colonial hopes. But Ukraine has nothing to do with Russia. “We have a different mentality, history and a different path. I think the slogan of the Revolution of Dignity “Freedom is our religion” best describes the essence of Ukrainians and our difference from Russians,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said.

Regarding the future path of European integration, the Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU is convinced that it should be a two-way road. “It is important that the European side does not lose the commitment and unity that we have observed during the last two years and does not fall into fatigue and “concern” again. On the part of Ukraine, we have a lot of homework waiting for us. We must work to adhere to democratic principles, and freedom of speech, to create and strengthen already existing mechanisms to ensure the rule of law,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. She noted that, in addition, Ukraine will have a lot of technical tasks regarding amending its legislation in line with the EU law. This will require great institutional efforts, as well as support of European partners along the way.

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU also noted that she would like to see more determination from NATO member states regarding their readiness to accept Ukraine. According to her, this decision is possible even during the war, only political will is needed. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze recalled that NATO countries did everything to postpone the decision to accept Ukraine, but this did not prevent Russia from starting the war. "This brutal war is going on even though we have not received an invitation, we have not received the 2008 Membership Action Plan or any other signals. Look how easily Russia swallowed Finland's membership in NATO, it will also swallow Sweden's membership. The Russian Federation did not wage this war because Ukraine intended to join the Alliance.” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze emphasised that Ukraine's membership in NATO can become a real guarantee of long-term peace on the continent. However, it will require a lot of political will on the part of the member countries of the Alliance, in particular, on the part of the USA.