Actually no, Kiev isn’t in the EU. Allow me to shed light on the fact that Kiev is the main capital city of Ukraine, which is not in the European Union (EU).
Of course, it can be confusing, given that Ukraine is the second biggest among the European countries on the continent.
Yet the truth is that as of now, it remains out of the EU.
Besides that, and for as long as I can remember, one of the top-most agendas of Ukraine is to join the EU.
The matter has been accelerated with the adaptation of this plan by the constitutional amendment.
Again, the country has already appended its signature on the Association Agreement with the EU, ensuring that there is no turning back.
Here are some of the steps towards joining the EU:
1. Ukraine –EU agreement
One of the most decisive and sure steps that Ukraine is headed towards the EU is the signing of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement in 2014.
Then in 2016, the country became part of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTA), which is a section of the Ukraine-EU association agreement.
It’s meant to strengthen economic ties between Ukraine and other EU member countries.
2. Plans to establish a visa-free regime
This will allow visa-free movement across member countries.
We already know that Ukrainians now have visa-free travel to the Schengen area for up to 90 days.
3. EU-Ukraine summits
Over 20 summits between Ukraine and the EU have been held since 1997.
The primary goal of these summits is the inclusion of Ukraine into the European Union.
4. Ukraine representative to EU
Ukraine attained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. And ever since, there has been a Ukraine representative from the country to the Europeans union.
This is a sure sign that the intentions of both Ukraine and the EU of its impending membership.
5. What challenges
The truth is that matters of such a magnitude cannot go without challenges, and so along the way, the process has had its rollercoaster moments.
This includes regime changes where every leader has their own opinions and sometimes-different positions, which slows down the process.
I should add that the adaption of specific internal reforms, such as adherence to principles of democracy, and eradication of corruption has been slow
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