Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze took part in the Baltic Business Forum
27 May 2025, 11:41
Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, took part in the Baltic Business Forum “Poland – Europe – European Union.” Speaking during the panel on Ukraine’s accession negotiations and EU membership, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze emphasized that Ukrainian society is paying an extraordinarily high price for its European choice and has shown that it is ready to fight for what many in EU countries take for granted.
At the same time, she noted that for Ukraine to successfully move forward with European integration, government slogans and plans must be matched by concrete actions. “Right now, the ball is in our court… We don’t necessarily have to wait for the next intergovernmental conference or for the formal opening of the first cluster. Having already prepared roadmaps for the rule of law, civil service reform, and the functioning of democratic institutions, Ukraine can begin implementing them immediately,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said.
She stressed that both objective and subjective obstacles exist on Ukraine’s path to EU membership. “The prolonged state of martial law creates a temptation not to fully restore checks and balances in government, and to limit the powers of certain branches of power or local self-government,” she pointed out. That is why, in her view, the attention and support of European partners are so important to Ukraine’s progress.
Speaking about external obstacles, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze highlighted the position of Hungary, which is using its veto power artificially and is not ready for constructive dialogue:
“That’s why I believe there is a need for a serious and honest conversation within the European Union itself, and not only regarding the enlargement process.” She also noted that one of the key challenges on Ukraine’s path to EU accession is the country’s limited institutional capacity. “I see this as one of the most serious issues. We are truly grateful to every EU partner country and to the European Commission for providing assistance to help us build this capacity… It’s important to us. We don’t want to enter the EU as a lame duck, but as a country that, in many ways, is already a pillar of European security. We aim to also become a pillar of Europe’s economy and potential — but there’s still much to be done,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze stated.
In her view, it is critically important to maintain the momentum of the process — both on Ukraine’s side and on the side of the EU — as this will affect not only Ukraine’s future, but also the credibility of the EU in the eyes of all candidate countries and those aspiring to join the European community in the future. “I believe we all stand to gain from Ukraine and other candidate countries joining a stronger, more economically powerful, and geopolitically strategic European Union,” she emphasized.
At the same time, she warned that Russia will continue to resist this process at every turn — including by amplifying the voices of those who are either genuinely or manipulatively concerned about Ukraine’s future EU accession. “That’s why we need to collectively put an end to such manipulations and engage in a substantive and informative dialogue that clearly shows how all sides stand to benefit. I am confident we can succeed — if we approach this process honestly and with a sense of responsibility,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze concluded.
At the same time, she noted that for Ukraine to successfully move forward with European integration, government slogans and plans must be matched by concrete actions. “Right now, the ball is in our court… We don’t necessarily have to wait for the next intergovernmental conference or for the formal opening of the first cluster. Having already prepared roadmaps for the rule of law, civil service reform, and the functioning of democratic institutions, Ukraine can begin implementing them immediately,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said.
She stressed that both objective and subjective obstacles exist on Ukraine’s path to EU membership. “The prolonged state of martial law creates a temptation not to fully restore checks and balances in government, and to limit the powers of certain branches of power or local self-government,” she pointed out. That is why, in her view, the attention and support of European partners are so important to Ukraine’s progress.
Speaking about external obstacles, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze highlighted the position of Hungary, which is using its veto power artificially and is not ready for constructive dialogue:
“That’s why I believe there is a need for a serious and honest conversation within the European Union itself, and not only regarding the enlargement process.” She also noted that one of the key challenges on Ukraine’s path to EU accession is the country’s limited institutional capacity. “I see this as one of the most serious issues. We are truly grateful to every EU partner country and to the European Commission for providing assistance to help us build this capacity… It’s important to us. We don’t want to enter the EU as a lame duck, but as a country that, in many ways, is already a pillar of European security. We aim to also become a pillar of Europe’s economy and potential — but there’s still much to be done,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze stated.
In her view, it is critically important to maintain the momentum of the process — both on Ukraine’s side and on the side of the EU — as this will affect not only Ukraine’s future, but also the credibility of the EU in the eyes of all candidate countries and those aspiring to join the European community in the future. “I believe we all stand to gain from Ukraine and other candidate countries joining a stronger, more economically powerful, and geopolitically strategic European Union,” she emphasized.
At the same time, she warned that Russia will continue to resist this process at every turn — including by amplifying the voices of those who are either genuinely or manipulatively concerned about Ukraine’s future EU accession. “That’s why we need to collectively put an end to such manipulations and engage in a substantive and informative dialogue that clearly shows how all sides stand to benefit. I am confident we can succeed — if we approach this process honestly and with a sense of responsibility,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze concluded.