The Verkhovna Rada must, at its upcoming meetings, adopt the draft laws from the “Kachka-Kos Plan” and ensure full funding from the European Union under the Ukraine Facility program. Petro Poroshenko said this in his address. He emphasized yesterday’s letter to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada from European Commissioner Marta Kos. He noted that reforms are primarily the responsibility of Ukrainians and that the date of our state’s EU membership depends on Kyiv’s political will.
“It is about the reform and reboot of the State Bureau of Investigation, because today it is an instrument of exclusively political pressure. Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code. Ensuring the protection of the independence of anti-corruption institutions – NABU and SAPО (specialized anti-corruption prosecutor’s office). Appointment of judges to the Constitutional Court of Ukraine and the High Council of Justice. The role of international experts in these processes is significant, as it was our team that introduced them – the integrity declarations for judges. I emphasize: this is not a list of laws. This is a test of trust that Ukraine must finally pass,” Poroshenko said.
“In 2025, Ukraine was supposed to receive 12.5 billion euros in aid from the European Union within the Ukraine Facility, but received 10.5. The 2 billion euros that we need like air, we did not receive because the Ukrainian authorities did not fulfill their obligations. In 2026, the risks are greater, and Ukraine may already fail to receive at least 4 billion euros under the Ukraine Facility program alone,” Poroshenko states.
He noted that this is happening amid uncertainty over the receipt of 90 billion euros in financial aid. “I want to separately remind you that the collateral for these 90 billion is frozen Russian assets. Thus, Russia has hope of taking these frozen assets back for itself, as they will not be used to support Ukraine. I emphasize that in the conditions of war, such losses hit our defense capability, and therefore are a crime against all of Ukraine,” the fifth President notes.
He also emphasized that Ukraine won the status of a candidate for EU membership through the sacrifices of Bucha and the heroism of the Armed Forces. “And now Ukraine has received a ‘yellow card’ from the European Union.
Yesterday, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, a great friend of Ukraine and a great friend of mine, Marta Kos, was forced to send a letter to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada. There was an attempt to hide it from both the parliament and society. And only thanks to the media, civil activists, and individual people’s deputies did Ukrainian society learn the content of this appeal. This is an absolutely clear warning to Ukraine: ‘you are losing trust, you are losing money, you are losing time’,” the party leader stressed.
“The European Commissioner says directly – Ukraine should have taken specific steps. Justice. Is this for us or for the European Union? Energy. The same questions. Public administration. Transparency and efficiency. Transport. These are not the whims of the European Union. We need these reforms. I have the right to claim this because in 2017-2016 we conducted very difficult negotiations on the visa-free regime, which in 2022 saved hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian lives, if not millions,” Poroshenko reminded.
“The problem is not only that we did not get the money. The problem is that the government publicly promised to fulfill certain obligations but failed to do so. In December, the obligations concerned ten clear steps of the ‘Kachka-Kos Plan’, i.e., the Ukrainian government’s and the European Commission’s plan. This is a roadmap for our European integration. Out of the ten points, not a single one has been fulfilled,” Petro Poroshenko expressed his outrage.
“The inaction of the government and the parliament jeopardizes our European integration, not because of the war, but because of irresponsibility. The truth is simple: the date of Ukraine’s entry into the European Union is not in Brussels, but in Kyiv, on Bankova and on Hrushevskoho. And today the government, unfortunately, is not bringing it closer, but pushing and distancing it,” the opposition leader states.
“The main thing is justice. Most of the requirements are in the first cluster, ‘Fundamentals’, which includes the rule of law, democracy, and justice. The issue is not just in the laws. And voting for laws will not be enough. The issue is in implementation, in the practice of the application. Are there independent courts in Ukraine? Do independent legal institutions work? Is Ukraine free from political pressure? Europe gives its answer through European Parliament Resolutions, European Commission reports, and the Commissioner for Human Rights’ report. In all three of these documents, sanctions against me are mentioned. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is under frantic pressure. This is no longer politics. This is a test for the entire state. And Ukraine, as a state, must pass this test,” Poroshenko believes.
“The trust of partners is under threat today. Because obligations are not being fulfilled, everyone sees the courts under blatant pressure. Decisions are being delayed, including decisions on banning opposition deputies from participating in parliamentary diplomacy. And the Supreme Court, taking into account the request of the authorities, has not considered the decision on the illegality of the ban on parliamentary diplomacy for the opposition, which has entered into legal force, in the final instance for seven months,” Petro Poroshenko reminded.
European Solidarity demands that all draft laws of the ‘Kachka-Kos Plan’ be adopted without delay, without imitation, during the next plenary week. If the government is unable to do this, we will do so in parliament ourselves. Do not hinder us. I am saying this today so that Ukraine does not lose its historical chance. A very narrow window of opportunity is open for Ukrainians. The Armed Forces have earned this chance, and the government has no right to lose it. We, ‘European Solidarity’, will do everything to ensure that European integration continues,” the party leader said.