Olga Chaiko, a Ukrainian news reporter from Kyiv who covers social and political life and now wartime events in Ukraine, comments exclusively for EESC info on the decision of the European Council on 23 June 2022 to grant Ukraine the status of EU candidate country. Take a look too at the photo that she chose to illustrate for us this historic moment.

"The candidate status is a great but very painful accomplishment for our country. We are paying a blood price for our democratic aspirations, but this is the only way to cut loose from our post-Soviet past and the influence of Russia. We have to win this battle so that our new generations can live happy and independent lives".