The Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU met with the Chairman of the Bundestag's Committee on European Union Affairs, Anton Hofreiter, and the Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary Group Alliance 90/The Greens, Agnieszka Brugger. Ukraine was represented by the Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, the First Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Vadym Halaichuk, the Deputy Chair of the Committee, Maria Mezentseva-Fedorenko, and Committee member Olena Vintonyak, as well as representatives of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation – Chairman Oleksandr Merezhko and Committee members Iryna Gerashchenko, Yelizaveta Yasko, and Maryana Bezugla.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze thanked her German colleagues for their support for Ukraine. She expressed concern about potential negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine. She emphasised that she did not see any readiness from Russia to participate in such negotiations, nor any willingness to take a position based on international law.“I do not think that Russia has changed its goals – to destroy Ukraine as a state, to destroy the Ukrainian people, to undermine the world order and to destabilise the European Union and NATO. These goals remain unchanged, and the axis of evil is getting stronger. Thus, we have a challenging year ahead of us,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. She is convinced that if there is a truce with Russia, the latter will use it only to regroup for a new attack. This next assault, according to the Chair of the Committee, may have the effect of a military tsunami that will cover all of Europe. This attack may be carried out not by hybrid means, as it is currently happening, but by military means. “We must take Russia’s hybrid attacks very seriously, including all cases of damage to cables in European waters, election interference, and the spread of disinformation. Much more must be done by law enforcement agencies within the EU to protect internal order, law, and European values,” she emphasised. “This war is not about territory. This is a war to change the world order, to subjugate. Ukraine is an independent, sovereign state with the full right to choose its future. And this is something every European state must defend,” stated Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

Regarding European integration, she expressed hope that during the first half of this year, under the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU, Ukraine would be able to open negotiations on the first cluster – Fundamentals. According to her, negotiations on the sixth cluster, which includes security and defence issues, might also be opened during the Polish presidency. The Internal Market cluster requires, according to the Chair of the Committee, additional screening and preparatory work. Therefore, it would be a great success if it could be opened during the Danish presidency, in the second half of 2025. As for reforms, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze is convinced that Ukraine is not yet showing the best results, partly due to wartime limitations but also due to the domestic political situation. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze believes that effective implementation of the European integration agenda requires parliamentary unity.

The Chairman of the Bundestag’s Committee on European Union Affairs Anton Hofreiter and the Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary group Alliance 90/The Greens Agnieszka Brugger thanked Ukraine and Ukrainians for protecting all of Europe. Anton Hofreiter stated that he wants to see Ukraine as part of the EU. To do this, Ukraine must carry out the necessary reforms. He also addressed the status of reform implementation. Ukraine’s most pressing needs were also discussed.

Vadym Halaichuk, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU, is convinced that Ukraine’s rapid European integration is the key not only to victory on the battlefield but also to Ukraine’s existence as a democratic state. He stressed the importance of unity and constructive cooperation in reforming Ukrainian legislation. Vadym Halaichuk also addressed the threat of Russian interference in the elections in European countries. He noted that Russia is making a lot of efforts to incite and fuel radical sentiments in European societies to destabilise the situation. Vadym Halaichuk is convinced that it is necessary to counteract these manipulations of public opinion, particularly by combating disinformation. “Joint work between Ukraine and the EU is not only about politics, it is a guarantee of stability and peace for all of Europe,” he said.

Deputy Chair of the Committee Maria Mezentseva-Fedorenko emphasised that Ukraine’s main needs remain military and financial assistance. She is convinced that Putin is not interested in any truce. He has made it clear that he has no intention to return the occupied Ukrainian territories and wants to see a disarmed and weak Ukraine. Therefore, Ukraine continues to need the support of its partners to establish a just peace and hold the Russian Federation accountable for the crimes committed. Maria Mezentseva-Fedorenko also informed about MPs’ involvement in European integration. She noted that they are involved in working groups established by the government. At the same time, insufficient institutional capacity remains a major challenge, as Ukraine lacks specialists.

During the meeting, Ukrainian MPs presented Anton Hofreiter with an honorary diploma from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, signed by Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk. This diploma recognises the efforts and long-term work of the Chairman of the Bundestag’s Committee on European Union Affairs in support of Ukraine. “We are glad that the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported this initiative of ours,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.