The head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, has advised former European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to visit Ukraine before making statements about "corruption at all levels of society" in the country. The head of the OP said this in an interview with Politico.

Ursula von der Leyen's predecessor as President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, recently said that Ukraine is "unsuitable" for EU membership because it is "corrupt at all levels of society."

"I don't remember Juncker visiting Ukraine in the last couple of years. So it is strange for me to hear these words from him. I categorically reject the statement that Ukraine is very corrupt. These challenges occur all over the world, but could you give me an example of another country that has made reforms of this magnitude in the face of this terrible war," Yermak said.

Asked whether he expects Ukraine's accession negotiations with the EU to start in the near future, Yermak said that the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Kyiv on Saturday demonstrates Ukraine's ambitions for the EU.

"Yes, this is what we expect, because we are doing everything to make it happen. And I believe that the visit of Ursula von der Leyen... is a very powerful step on this path," the head of the OP said.