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Ukraine to Hold Referendum to Join EU After Applying for Membership - President

© AP Photo / Virginia MayoUkrainian President Petro Poroshenko speaks during a media conference at the conclusion of an EU-Ukraine summit at the European Council building in Brussels on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko speaks during a media conference at the conclusion of an EU-Ukraine summit at the European Council building in Brussels on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016 - Sputnik International
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KIEV (Sputnik) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Sunday that he is not opposed to a referendum on the country's accession to the European Union provided it takes place after applying for membership in the bloc.

"And I want to inform you that a referendum will take place. It will take place when we put the issue in detail. Because joining the European Union is impossible without a referendum. First, an application for entry is submitted when we meet criteria. A referendum is held not on joining or not joining [the European Union], as the people had already decided… The question at the referendum will be whether the Ukrainian people are ready to delegate some of the powers to a supranational body, as 27 or 28 EU members did", Poroshenko said.

READ MORE: DoJ: Ex-Obama Counsel Indicted for Lying About Activities on Behalf of Ukraine

The president added that accession to the European Union and NATO would strengthen independence guarantees for Ukraine.

The Ukrainian President has also touched upon Donbass, saying that he would start a political process in the eastern regions if he wins a second term next week.

"Peace is the first thing I want to bring after winning the presidential election. It is the start of a political process in Donbas, while our country preserves its unitary nature and restores its territorial integrity," Poroshenko told Ukraina channel.

Speaking about the upcoming runoff in Ukraine, Poroshenko said that if his rival, presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelenskiy, won the presidential election, he would respect this outcome, as this would be the Ukrainian people's choice.

"If God forbid, he is elected, it will be the choice of the Ukrainian people, and I will respect any choice because we are a democratic state", Poroshenko stressed.

Zelensky votes in the election. - Sputnik International
Zelensky Wins 1st Presidential Election Round in Ukraine - Final Results
The first round of the Ukrainian presidential election was held on March 31 and resulted in none of the candidates gaining the absolute majority needed to win the race. Zelenskiy led with 30.24 percent of the vote, while Poroshenko came second with 15.95 percent and will, therefore, confront Zelenskiy in the runoff.

Ukraine relinquished its status of non-affiliation with any blocs in 2014 and has since then been striving to join the European Union and NATO. The president signed on February 19 a law enshrining these aspirations in the Ukrainian constitution. Ukrainian membership in the European Union and NATO is the key message of Poroshenko's election program, titled the "Great State of Free and Happy People".

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