Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today welcomed the European Union’s decision to start accession negotiations with Kiev, calling it a “victory for Ukraine” and for “all of Europe”.

“It is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires and empowers”, underlines Volodymyr Zelensky in a post on the X platform, in which he congratulates “every Ukrainian” as well as Moldova, with which the EU will also start accession negotiations. “History is written by those who never tire of fighting for freedom,” the Ukrainian president added.

Kiev has been waiting for the green light from EU leaders, which has been delayed by Hungary’s stubborn refusal. However, the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, announced earlier today the decision to start accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.

The European Commission proposed in November the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldovawhich had been given the status of candidate countries for EU accession in June 2022.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Smykhal said the EU’s decision was a “recognition of the reforms” implemented by Kiev in recent years, warning that the country’s path to joining the European Union would be “difficult”.

For his part, the head of Ukrainian diplomacy, Ndmytro Kuleba, spoke of a “historic day”. “One feeling prevails: all this was not in vain”, he underlined.