Zelenskyy on conquering the EU's Everest: We have already scaled 7,000 metres

KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO – FRIDAY, 24 JUNE 2022, 23:15

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said that for now, the fact of Ukraine’s EU candidacy should be the focus of everyone’s attention, rather than the amount of work that lies ahead in order to ensure Ukraine joins the EU as a full member.

Source: Zelenskyy’s video address

Quote [from the official website of the President of Ukraine]: "Since this morning and until this moment, there is a discussion on television, radio, on the Internet about what it means, what conditions Ukraine has to fulfil, how difficult it will be to fulfil and how many years it will take…

And I want to say the following on this day. Let’s rejoice at least a little. In a quiet, modest way, silently, but rejoice. For ourselves, for our beloved state. Let’s feel the moment and the taste of this moment.

Imagine conquering Everest. You reached the penultimate point. You didn’t look around, didn’t even take a breath and started to talk about the remaining way to the top. How difficult it will be to overcome the last 1,848 metres. Instantly we forgot and devalued our own success. Maybe we should first recall that we have already covered 7,000 metres?"

Details: Instead of saying "Ukraine has been granted EU candidate status" Zelenskyy urged everyone to say "Ukraine has gained EU candidate status."

"Today we focus on seven EU requirements. Yes. It's true. But does it scare us? No. Because before that, we have already successfully fulfilled hundreds. Let’s not forget about it. Not for bragging, but for the belief that we will definitely overcome this path. We have covered 7,000 metres, so we will not stop - we will reach our Everest," President Zelenskyy stressed.

Earlier: On Thursday, 23 June the EU leaders approved a decision to grant Ukraine and Moldova EU candidate status during a European Union summit in Brussels.