Zelensky plans to attend Ukraine Reform Conference in Vilnius this year – President's Office

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva said this in an interview with Baltic News Service (BNS) Lithuania, according to the website of the head of the Ukrainian state.

“We hope that the conference will take place this year. The Ukrainian government and the President's Office are already working on this. The head of state will be glad to come to Lithuania to discuss the progress of Ukrainian reforms and support for Ukraine from European partners,” he said.

According to Zhovkva, over the past year and a half, Ukraine has shown significant progress in reforms; in particular, recently President of the European Council Charles Michel noted the efforts of the Ukrainian president in judicial and banking reforms, as well as in the agricultural sector. “We look forward to a fair assessment of the process. And we count on support for Ukraine to continue this path of reforms,” he stressed.

The deputy head of the President's Office also focused on the process of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. He recalled that the Ukrainian state received a NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner status and raises the issue of providing a NATO Membership Action Plan. “We understand that we have to do our homework, including reforms in the security and military sectors of Ukraine. We are working on this,” Zhovkva said.

Work is also underway to deepen Ukraine's integration with the European Union. “Much depends on Ukraine, but not everything. We will do our "homework", but we really count on the support of Brussels and EU Member States. And here, by the way, the role of Lithuania is very important, because I hope that Lithuania unanimously supports Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO,” Zhovkva noted.

He also said that the Republic of Lithuania is not just a strategic partner of Ukraine, but also a “strategic friend and brother”, and both countries have great potential for cooperation.

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