On Monday 22 April, the European Union and the G7 countries congratulated Volodymyr Zelensky on his election the day before as President of the Ukrainian Republic. He defeated the outgoing president, Petro Poroshenko, by 73.23% of the vote.
In a joint letter of congratulations, the Presidents of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and the European Council, Donald Tusk, welcomed the opportunity to meet Mr Zelensky "at the earliest mutually agreed date", as the election of this actor who is new to politics opens a period of uncertainty for EU-Ukraine relations. The new President's ambitions for the EU are unknown.
Mr Juncker and Mr Tusk confirmed to Mr Zelensky that he could count on the EU's support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and reforms, "including consolidating the rule of law, fighting corruption, maintaining macro-financial stability and pursuing the essential reform of the energy sector". "We strongly believe the further implementation by the EU and Ukraine of the Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, can be a crucial instrument in this respect", they said.
The two Presidents also recalled that while significant progress had been made over the past 5 years, "much remains to be done to fully achieve the peaceful, democratic and prosperous Ukraine" desired by the Ukrainian citizens.
They also welcomed the "strong attachment to democracy and the rule of law that the people of Ukraine have demonstrated throughout the electoral process". According to them, "this is a major achievement in a complex political, economic and security environment, in a context where Ukraine's territorial integrity is under constant threat".
Congratulating the Ukrainian people on their "democratic maturity" and Mr Zelensky on his victory, Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn said on Twitter that this result was "a very strong mandate to fight corruption more vigorously and to free the state from oligarchic state capture".
For her part, Rebecca Harms, on behalf of the European Parliament delegation that observed the elections, said on 22 April that the election, which was competitive and free, had been conducted in a calm and orderly manner, paving the way for a democratic transition from power to the presidency. However, she regretted that many Ukrainians were unable to vote because of the annexation of Crimea and the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The Parliament delegation also expressed its conviction that the new President was fully aware of his responsibilities and that the result of the election with an overwhelming majority for Mr Zelensky could also be "interpreted as a serious call for the reform of the Verkhovna Rada". Parliamentary elections are scheduled for autumn.
Finally, Ms Harms congratulated the outgoing president, Petro Poroshenko, on his "statesmanship" by accepting the result on election night. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)