During the presentation of the new course “Ukraine’s Accession to the EU” by the Zrozumilo! Educational Online Platform, a panel discussion was held focusing on Ukrainians’ expectations regarding the country’s path toward joining the European Union.

Participants included:

• Jonathan Conlon, Ambassador of Ireland to Ukraine
• Vira Nedzvedska, Vice President for Strategic Partnerships at East Europe Foundation
• Oleksii Riabchyn, Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine – Ministry of Justice of Ukraine (online participation)
• Oleksii Haran, Professor of Political Science at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Academic Adviser at the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation
• Kseniia Smyrnova, Vice-Rector for Research and Teaching (International Cooperation) at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
• Vasyl Babych, European Integration Expert, Partnership Development Manager at EasyBusiness NGO
• Daria Haidai, Deputy Head of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine
• Ilona Khmelova, Head of the Sociopolitical and International Advocacy Cluster at East Europe Foundation

The event was moderated by TV host and journalist Marichka Padalko.

“It is important to observe broader societal trends rather than focus solely on survey numbers. And these trends show that Ukrainians are becoming increasingly aligned with the European Union,” – emphasized Oleksii Haran, Professor of Political Science at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and Academic Adviser at the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation.

“Communities are striving to build good governance. At the same time, they need to think beyond local boundaries – to exchange knowledge and best practices with European partners,” –  stressed Vasyl Babych, European Integration Expert and Partnership Development Manager at EasyBusiness NGO.

“Education plays an exceptionally important role in shaping the country’s human capital and preparing professionals who will put European integration processes into practice in Ukraine,” – said Kseniia Smyrnova, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

“We have a window of opportunity that will eventually close and we may lose a historic chance to join the European Union. There is still much to be done, but according to our European partners, Ukraine is currently doing far more than other countries that are also seeking EU membership,” – noted Oleksii Riabchyn, Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.

The event and the online course “Ukraine’s Accession to the EU” were made possible through the “Towards the EU” programme implemented by East Europe Foundation with financial support from the Embassy of Ireland in Ukraine.