European Commissioner Marta Kos: “We cannot talk about Europe’s security without Ukraine’s security”

An exclusive interview with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos for the Interfax-Ukraine news agency

On the final day of Marta Kos’s visit to Ukraine, we discussed the EU accession process, the Hungarian veto, anti-corruption reforms, and the possibility of decoupling Moldova from Ukraine on their paths to EU membership.

Text: Valerie Proshchenko

Your visit coincides precisely with the conclusion of the screening process. Was this the primary reason for selecting this timing? Could you please outline your schedule during the trip and the overall objectives of your visit? Maybe you can share any insights from your meetings in Kyiv, along with the key messages conveyed.

I came on a three-day mission — until now, I had only ever visited for one day, and always just in Kyiv. But to do the best possible job for you in Brussels, it's important that I get outside of Kyiv, meet different stakeholders, and talk to people in various regions about the key issues on the ground.

On the first day, I travelled to Zakarpattia to meet with national minorities, especially the Hungarian community. Hungary is currently blocking the opening of Cluster One, claiming that Ukraine isn’t doing enough to protect minority rights. I also attended a meeting of the Council of National Minorities, which includes representatives from 20 minority groups. None of them raised concerns about a lack of protection - including two representatives from the Hungarian community. All of them expressed strong pro-European views, which I found very encouraging.

The second day in Lviv was deeply emotional. I visited the cemetery where Ukraine’s fallen soldiers are buried - true heroes. I also visited a monument dedicated to Slovenian soldiers who died in