Brussels will not simplify the procedures for Ukraine's accession to the European Union, even if Kyiv agrees to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton said in an interview with Sud France.
"We will do everything to help Ukraine fulfill everything as quickly as possible, but of course without skipping steps," he said.
Breton noted that joining the EU is a lengthy process in which a candidate country has to modify its infrastructure and take a number of other measures in accordance with the established requirements.
According to the European Commissioner, the bloc should facilitate the start of negotiations on ending the war through other measures, such as increasing arms production and ensuring military parity between Russia and Ukraine.
"In order for the negotiations to start, we must give Ukraine the means to make a decision on dialogue at the right time," Breton explained.
At the end of August, he noted that in order to join the EU, Ukraine needs to fulfill all the necessary requirements for the rule of law and human rights, as well as actively develop its internal market.
Ukraine became an EU candidate in June 2022.
So far, Kyiv has fulfilled two of the seven conditions necessary to start accession negotiations, namely reforming the High Council of Justice and the High Qualifications Commission of Judges and adopting a law on media.
The remaining issues include the eradication of corruption and money laundering, respect for minority rights, and limiting the power of oligarchs.