Ukraine fills EU membership questionnaire to fullest extent - Zelensky's Office rep

KYIV. April 18 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Ukraine has filled to the fullest extent the EU membership questionnaire received by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Kyiv on April 9, deputy chief of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva said.

"As the president promised European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Ukraine on April 9, Ukraine will fill the questionnaire. One week has passed, and I can say that Ukraine has filled this document," Zhovkva said during the national TV marathon on Sunday.

As the filled questionnaire is submitted to the European Commission, it will start preparing a recommendation on Ukraine's compliance with the Copenhagen criteria of admission to the European Union, Zhovkva said. Ukraine is expecting to receive the status of an EU candidate as early as in June 2022.

"We are expecting a positive recommendation, and the ball will be in the court of EU member states. The Council of the European Union will meet in June, and we are expecting Ukraine to receive an EU candidate status. [...] Then admission talks are due to begin. Once the talks are over, it will be possible to speak of Ukraine's full membership in the European Union," he said.

"We are talking about a fast-track procedure. We cannot afford ten, 15 or 20 years of talks. The talks need to be swift. Ukraine deserves this, and most EU member states support our aspiration," Zhovkva said.