A report by Nannette Cazaubon, Paris.
On 18 November 2024, the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri) invited Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine and Minister of Justice, to an exclusive conversation on the situation in Ukraine almost 1,000 days after the start of the Russian invasion. The webinar was led by Ifri’s Deputy Director Marc Hecker and Tatiana Kastouéva-Jean, Director of Ifri’s Russia/Eurasia Center.
The discussion, which took place a day after a large-scale Russian air attack on Ukrainian cities, focused on the unprecedented situation Ukraine finds itself in. Not only does it have to wage a war to counter Russian invasion, but the country, a candidate for membership of the European Union (EU) since June 2022, must also undertake structural reforms to secure EU accession and hopes to protect itself against any future Russian aggression by joining NATO.
Military situation
With Ukraine in dire need of troops and ammunition, and Russia using North Korean troops to push Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region, Trump’s election victory adds to fears of a reduction in US military aid to Ukraine. Asked about her vision for 2025 in this context, Stefanishyna replied that she saw no alternative to developing European strategic autonomy to ensure peace and European values. She stressed the importance for the European Union to remain united and not to disperse itself into various individual initiatives to address Moscow – as German Chancellor Olof Scholz recently did – because this could be interpreted by Putin as legitimising his aggression against Ukraine.
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed the importance of focusing on some key decisions, such as those outlined by President Zelenskyy in his “victory plan” presented to the Ukrainian parliament on 16 October 2024 (see box). His plan is aimed at creating a solid basis for the democratic world to “design the choreography of victory”, she said. She called US President Joe Biden’s authorisation to use long-range missiles against the Russian aggressor an important and long-awaited decision.
NATO accession
Asked about her vision of Ukraine’s future NATO accession, Stefanishyna said that NATO membership “is a geopolitical element” and that, at the moment, it is not about NATO accession itself but about an invitation to start negotiations on Ukraine’s NATO membership. Regarding the recently circulating ideas that Ukraine could become a member of NATO on the model of West Germany at the time, where only the parts of the country over which Kyiv exercises full control would be admitted, she said that Ukraine should join NATO on the basis of its 1991 borders.
EU accession
Speaking about Ukraine’s accession to the EU, she considered that the current period was historically unique and that the accession of new countries to the EU was “a huge contribution to the future of the EU”. She expressed hope that the new Commissioner for enlargement Marta Kos will be able to advance this process as much as possible.
Ukraine has completed preparations for negotiations on the first six chapters, which concern the rule of law, the functioning of democratic institutions and the functioning of the entire state system. “Ukraine wants not only to join the EU, but also to contribute to a peaceful, politically and militarily strong Union,” Stefanishyna said, adding that Ukraine, as a large agricultural country with many natural resources, could contribute to the development of the EU and help Europe become more resource independent.
Asked about the recent corruption scandals, the Deputy Prime Minister said that Ukraine was committed to meeting the accession criteria. That is why it was decided that she would also head the justice ministry. However, she admitted that in wartime, the risks of corruption were higher.
Domestic political situation
Asked about the domestic political situation, with a war-weary Ukrainian population, a high number of military desertions, the absence of elections and Zelenskyy’s declining popularity, Stefanishyna said that “it is very difficult to live with the war on a daily basis, there is exhaustion, and at the same time it does not affect our unity.” She emphasised that Ukrainians are a freedom-loving nation, striving for independence in all areas, and that Ukraine’s European aspirations also help to keep them united. ■
Victory plan for Ukraine
(nc) In mid-October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy unveiled his plan for Ukraine in a speech at the parliament.
The plan contains five main points:
- Unconditional invitation for Ukraine to join NATO.
- Further arming Ukraine and strengthening its defence industry, boosting air defence capabilities and removing restrictions on weapon use.
- Deterring Russia from any further aggression by placing a comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package on Ukraine’s soil.
- Agreement between Ukraine, the US, the EU and other allies allowing for joint investments and use of Ukraine’s natural resources (uranium, titanium, lithium, graphite and others.)
- After the war, the use of Ukraine’s armed forces to enhance the security of NATO and replace some of the US forces currently stationed in Europe.
