Olha Stefanishyna

President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine needs an invitation to join NATO this year, calling it realistic because Ukraine defends the Alliance's common values and deserves reliable security, as does the Baltic region after Finland and Sweden joined.

Yermak and Szijjarto held online talks, making progress in improving Ukrainian-Hungarian bilateral relations, including agreeing on 5 out of 11 proposed points, finalizing positions on national communities, expanding logistics and transportation capabilities on the common border, and planning to record the agreements reached.

U. S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressed hope that the upcoming NATO summit will be devoted to developing a roadmap for Ukraine's accession to the Alliance.

Poland will work to convene the first intergovernmental conference between the EU and Ukraine no later than June 2024, which will mark the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU.

Delegates from NATO and Ukraine will meet in Luxembourg to discuss modernizing Ukraine's defense procurement process to make it faster, more sustainable and transparent, as part of NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package to support Ukraine's security and reform efforts.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna says that the key opponents of Ukraine's invitation to NATO are the United States and Germany, which urge Kyiv not to spoil the "atmosphere" at the upcoming summit in Washington.

Ukraine expects to start accession talks with the EU in June 2023 on the basis of a gentlemen's agreement with most EU countries.

Vice Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna met with Admiral Robert Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, to discuss NATO's increased support for Ukraine in building military capabilities, increasing defense production, and preparing for the upcoming NATO Summit, which will discuss further assistance to Ukraine.

Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said that despite Washington's calls to limit strikes on russia's energy infrastructure, Kyiv is forced to fight with the resources it has.

Ukraine aims to complete its "homework" for EU accession within two years, but the reform process will continue after the accession.

This week, the European Commission is expected to approve a draft negotiation framework for Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

The first 40 victims of sexual violence will receive compensation payments from March 1 to March 31 as part of a pilot project.

Ukraine expects the European Commission to present a framework for EU accession negotiations by March 12 based on Ukraine's progress in implementing reforms.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine and a group of ministers arrived at the border with Poland for talks, but did not meet with Polish officials. Earlier, Zelenskyy instructed the government to be at the border with Poland by February 24. He also called on the president and prime minister of Poland to arrive there.

President Zelenskyy held a conference call with government officials to discuss the blockade on the Polish border, analyze the situation in detail and determine further steps, defense supplies and the situation on the frontline.

Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said that the EU accession process should take place in accordance with political and historical circumstances, not technical obstacles, and that politicization of every step delays Ukraine's integration.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine has announced that in the first half of 2024, Ukraine will form a team to negotiate accession to the European Union.

The Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine expressed confidence that U. S. assistance to Ukraine will continue, as supporting democracy around the world is in America's sovereign interests, although funding is facing a political fight.

The first meeting of the Ukrainian working group "Platforms for Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusion in Recovery" was held. Participants discussed key goals and objectives for gender-responsive and inclusive recovery in Ukraine.

The European Commission expects a framework for negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU to be presented in the coming weeks.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved an action plan to implement more than 350 measures from the European Commission's recommendations.

Ukraine is moving faster than other EU candidates in the screening process.

Germany and Ukraine may sign an agreement on bilateral security guarantees during the Munich Security Conference on February 16.