Tusk promises Zelenskyy to make efforts to open negotiations on Ukraine's membership in EU by July

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk promised President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make efforts to open negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union by July. This was announced by the Office of the President, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

In particular, it is reported that the key topics of discussion in the telephone conversation between Zelenskyy and Tusk were the presidential election in Poland, coordination of next steps with partners for peace, and opening clusters in negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU.

"Separately, the opening of the first negotiation clusters during the Polish presidency of the EU was discussed. The President emphasized that Ukraine, for its part, has done everything necessary and it is unfair when one person can block the entire process. Donald Tusk assured that he would make personal efforts to find solutions that would help to overcome this situation and open the first clusters. The Head of State thanked the Prime Minister of Poland for his willingness to help and support," the report says.

Zelenskyy also informed Tusk about a telephone conversation with the President of the United States of America Donald Trump and European leaders and the preparation of further steps: the possibility of holding the next meeting with the russian side, a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange, and the introduction of strong sanctions in response to russia's protracted war.

Zelenskyy noted the approval of the 17th package of sanctions against the russian federation and added that the next sanctions decisions are already being prepared.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on January 1, 2025, Poland began its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, which will last until July 1, 2025.

In May, the Cabinet of Ministers approved roadmaps for the opening of the first cluster in the pre-accession negotiations between Ukraine and the European Union. This year, Ukraine intends to open negotiations on all six negotiation clusters and, after the end of the war, become an integral part of a united Europe.

Hungary blocks the opening of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU over the issue of national minorities.