Ukraine applied for membership in the European Union on February 28, 2022, just days after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Thanks to the political support of the EU institutions and its Member States, in record time, on June 23, 2022, the European Union gave a positive response to Ukraine's application for candidate status.

First of all, we must bring European capabilities together as much as possible. Europe must be able to defend itself. And this is also a strategic goal, I think, of us, of Europe, of the United States, which they speak about quite openly. Our Drone Deals format can be very useful in achieving this goal.

Building upon the outcomes of our previous meetings in Athens, Tirana, Dubrovnik and Odesa, we reaffirm the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit as an important framework for political dialogue, regional cooperation and shared security.

On Ukrainian Statehood Day and the Day of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus–Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented state awards to military personnel and civilians, handed passports to young Ukrainians, and conferred honorary titles.

We are working to open the clusters in Ukraine's accession talks. Two clusters have already been opened: the first and the sixth – the sixth was opened yesterday. I congratulate our teams and sincerely thank them for their work. We look forward to opening all the remaining clusters.

In Kyiv, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. During the meeting, the two leaders signed a document that marks the first step toward the Drone Deal.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree enacting the decision of the National Security and Defense Council to amend the sectoral sanctions imposed on financial institutions of the Russian Federation. These restrictions were originally introduced in February 2023 by an NSDC decision approved by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.