Borrell reminded Zelensky that the EU is not an ATM

The best way to support Ukraine for the European Union is to help reform the country, said Josep Borrell.

Not all current difficulties in Ukraine are associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Only Ukrainians can implement the necessary reforms with their own hands. The head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, wrote about this in his article on the European Truth website.

According to him, the EU hopes that Ukraine will fully benefit from cooperation under the Association Agreement and the Comprehensive and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.

“As I told the president (Zelensky – ed.), The EU is not a charity or an ATM. The best way to support Ukraine for us is to help reform the country. But only Ukrainians can implement these reforms with their own hands. The best way to stabilize our neighboring region is a stable, rich and democratic Ukraine, “Borrell wrote.

He recalled that the European Union is helping Ukraine to combat the coronavirus crisis by allocating more than 190 million euros at the initiative of Team Europe.

In recent months, the crisis caused by COVID-19 has worsened the socio-economic situation in Ukraine, as well as in other countries around the world. In the second quarter of this year, Ukraine’s GDP fell by 11.4%. However, not all current difficulties in Ukraine are related to COVID. -19 “, emphasized the diplomat.

Borrell noted that the oligarchs still retain significant influence and, for example, own most of the national television channels.

“Freedom of information is the oxygen of democracy, and independent media are crucial in Ukraine’s efforts to ensure a sustainable information space and an active civil society,” he recalled.

Borrell was previously reported to have announced a slowdown in reforms in Ukraine. Turbo mode was replaced by a drop in the pace of reforms, and the firings of reformers were alarming signs of their willingness to resist corruption.

We remember that this week Borrell was visiting Ukraine. During a press conference, he noted that the situation around the Anti-Corruption Specialized Prosecutor’s Office may affect the abolition of visa-free travel with Ukraine, but this is possible not before the next report on Kiev’s compliance with the requirements.

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