Ukraine's President-elect is eager to join NATO and the EU.
(Baonghean.vn) - In an interview with NewsOne TV on May 5, spokesman for Ukrainian President-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mr. Sviatoslav Yurash, affirmed that the elected Ukrainian government will adhere to the country's foreign policy roadmap in joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU).
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| Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Photo: Getty |
"Throughout the election campaign, we have been talking about the Euro-Atlantic roadmap, which we will never stop. Moreover, we will support this roadmap in every way... This is not something that was announced suddenly. We have mentioned this many times, from the beginning of the election campaign until now," Mr. Yurash said.
Mr. Yurash also emphasized that the president-elect's support team is working closely to outline foreign policy activities for Mr. Zelenskiy in the first 100 days as President of Ukraine.
So far, both the EU and NATO have said it is too early to talk about Ukraine joining either bloc until the country meets the necessary criteria, a process that could take years.
In another development, on May 6, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin announced that he would submit his resignation after Mr. Zelenskiy officially took office as President.
Speaking to the press, Mr. Klimkin stated: "No one will remove me from office, because we need political culture. Allowing a new president to choose who to work with in the field of foreign policy and defense is also part of political culture. I have to submit my resignation to the new president, and of course I will do this."
Under Ukrainian law, a new president is allowed to appoint only two ministers in the government, including the Foreign Minister and the Defense Minister. However, this cabinet change needs to be approved by the Parliament.