Latest news with #Stefanishyna
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU market remains open to Ukrainian goods, says Ukraine's minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration
Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Justice Minister, has stated that the European market remains open to Ukrainian goods and that there are currently no plans to suspend the EU-Ukraine free trade regime. Source: Stefanishyna in a comment to European Pravda following her visit to Brussels Details: Stefanishyna said that during the visit, a substantive dialogue began on finding a long-term solution in the field of trade. As reported earlier, on 22 May the European Commission adopted a list of transitional measures regarding Ukrainian exports to the EU. These will come into force on 6 June 2025, once the current autonomous trade measures for Ukraine – known as the "trade visa-free regime" – expire. Stefanishyna explained that this is an interim solution which will help avoid the worst-case scenario and achieve a sustainable resolution within the framework of the EU-Ukraine free trade agreement. Quote: "There is no talk of suspending free trade: the EU market remains open to Ukrainian goods. We have agreed to work quickly and constructively towards a long-term solution." More details: Stefanishyna noted that the EU understands how critical it is for Ukraine, during wartime, to have predictable and transparent trade conditions and the importance of agricultural exports for the country's economic stability. "There is clear political will to find a balanced solution by the end of July 2025," she stated. Background: As European Pravda reported back in late April, the European Commission does not plan to extend the "trade visa-free regime", which remains in effect until 5 June. However, it will ensure a smooth transition to a new scheme, under which all trade liberalisation terms will be enshrined in the EU-Ukraine free trade agreement. It is worth noting that the European Parliament has voted to introduce a preferential regime for the export of steel and iron from Ukraine starting from 6 June 2025. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine's deputy PM for EU integration outlines next steps for opening first EU negotiation cluster
Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, has outlined the next steps on Kyiv's path to EU membership after the country completed internal procedures needed to open the first cluster in accession negotiations. Source: European Pravda, citing the communications team of Stefanishyna's office Details: On 14 May, the Ukrainian government reportedly approved roadmaps required to open the first negotiation cluster between Ukraine and the EU, thus completing all domestic procedures for its launch. Stefanishyna noted the next step will be to submit these roadmaps to the European Commission and EU member states for their approval. She explained that the roadmaps are comprehensive plans outlining specific steps Ukraine intends to take "to join the European Union as a strong and capable member state". The approved roadmaps are synchronised with Ukraine's international commitments as well as its strategic and policy documents. Background: Hungary has still not lifted its veto on the formal opening of Ukraine's EU accession talks. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged in Lviv that the EU is preparing a Plan B due to Hungary's opposition. Bloomberg has reported that the EU is discussing ways to prevent Hungary from blocking the actual start of accession negotiations with Ukraine. Read more on Hungary's intentions: Orbán sidelines Ukraine, helps Moldova. What might happen to Kyiv's EU dream with Hungary's veto Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Canada initiates court proceedings to seize Russian Antonov An-124 aircraft
Canada has initiated court proceedings to seize a Russian Antonov An-124 "Ruslan" transport aircraft, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said on May 6. The aircraft, owned by Russian Volga-Dnepr cargo airlines, has remained grounded at Toronto Pearson International Airport since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, amid a travel ban on Russian aircraft in Canadian airspace. A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada confirmed to Canadian publication InSauga that the Canadian government had initiated proceedings in the Ontario Superior Court. "The Attorney General of Canada commenced forfeiture proceedings by seeking the issuance of a Notice of Application by the Superior Court of Ontario on March 18, 2025," the spokesperson said. The aircraft, which is approximately 69 metres long and 21 meters tall and originally produced in Ukraine, is the world's largest mass-produced cargo plane. The similar Ukrainian-owned and produced Antonov An-225 Mriya aircraft served as a one-off flagship of the Antonov An-124, until it was destroyed by Russian forces at Hostomel airport in February 2022. "I am convinced that all these actions are leading to one outcome: the 'Ruslan' will soon have a new home — in Ukraine, where it will serve our country's needs," Stefanishyna said in a statement. "I'm grateful to Canada for its unwavering support and decisive actions. Justice is not just a word — it's the concrete steps we are witnessing today. And this is just the beginning." Read also: European Commission prepares 17th sanctions package against Russia, Reuters reports We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine's government still hopes to open first EU accession cluster by July
Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, believes that Ukraine will be able to open at least one negotiating cluster before the end of Poland's presidency of the EU Council. Source: European Pravda, citing Stefanishyna in an interview aired on the national 24/7 joint newscast on Thursday 1 May Details: During a visit to Budapest, Stefanishyna referred to the publicly confirmed agreement with the European Commission that "all negotiating clusters will be opened this year". "A great deal of work has been done by the European Commission and the Polish presidency. Unfortunately, the process has not yet been unblocked. But the Ukrainian delegation is working here [in Budapest]," she said. Stefanishyna said she is confident that the Polish presidency may still conclude with at least some of the negotiating chapters opened. Poland's six-month presidency of the EU Council ends in June 2025. Background: Ukraine and the EU Commission initially had ambitious plans for the pace of accession talks in 2025, but the process has been hindered by Hungary's veto. Recently, there have been indications that Moldova and Ukraine could be separated on their path to EU membership. Following talks in Budapest on 29 April, Ukraine and Hungary agreed to hold regular consultations to address bilateral issues. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
It's unconstructive to allow Ukraine and Moldova to be separated on their way to EU, says senior Kyiv official
Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, has criticised a suggestion by European Commissioner Marta Kos that Ukraine and Moldova could be divided in the EU accession process. Source: Stefanishyna in a comment to Interfax-Ukraine news agency, as reported by European Pravda Details: Stefanishyna stressed that she is currently in Budapest to help resolve the issues presently blocking Ukraine's movement to the EU. "This is not a simple dialogue, but Ukraine is determined to find solutions that will unblock the negotiation process. Therefore, I consider the statements about the possibility of adopting a decision on Moldova (without Ukraine) during my visit to Budapest unconstructive," she said. This was Stefanishyna's response to Kos's suggestion that the EU may consider extending Moldova's accession process by separating it from Ukraine. Stefanishyna also noted that she is scheduled to have a telephone conversation with Kos on 1 May, where she plans to raise the issue. Background: Hungary continues to block the opening of negotiating clusters on Ukraine's accession to the EU, citing supposed problems with the Hungarian minority. Recently, sources told European Pravda that if Hungary continues to block the opening of clusters in Ukraine's EU accession negotiations, Moldova, which began negotiations simultaneously and is also ready to open Cluster 1 (Fundamentals), may proceed earlier. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
