Ukraine to do its utmost to start talks on EU membership as soon as possible - Zelensky

MOSCOW. July 28 (Interfax) - Ukraine will do its utmost to start negotiations on becoming a member of the European Union as soon as possible, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

"We filed an application to join the European Union and were granted candidate status as quickly and in such conditions that no other state did and had. We should approach the start of negotiations on Ukraine's membership of the European Union with the same speed," Ukrainian media quoted Zelensky as saying at a Verkhovna Rada ceremonial session marking Day of Statehood in Kyiv on Thursday.

Everything necessary for this will be done, he said.

"We will do all that we are supposed to do for this, synchronizing Ukrainian law with the European Union's law. We will accomplish this. A plan has also been drawn up to implement all of the EU regulations and directives under the Association Agreement with the European Union. This is actually a common assignment for us and for you, dear deputies, and for our state's government, and this meets our new reality," he said.