Ukraine is on the verge of significant change.

Donald Trump's upcoming presidency and the difficult situation on the frontlines have raised serious expectations of a cessation of hostilities, and possibly a peace agreement.

However, any truce established along the contact line, if accompanied by the loss of prospects for a Euro-Atlantic future, will have negative consequences for the country.

The only way to effectively compensate Ukraine in this situation would be Ukraine's accelerated integration into the European Union (EU).

Brussels should avoid repeating the mistake of 2011-2013 when it delayed signing the Association Agreement with Ukraine, demanding then-President Yanukovych to release YuliaTymoshenko.

This allowed Russia to exploit the pause, pressuring Ukraine and derailing the agreement, leading to the events of 2013 — Revolution of Dignity and the capturing of Crimean Peninsula.

Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election brings new uncertainties and risks to Ukraine, while also presenting an opportunity to end the bloodiest war in Europe since World War II.

This moment calls for prudent and strategic thinking to ensure not only an end to the war, but also the creation of a foundation for lasting peace.

For Ukraine, ending the war is a vital necessity.

More than one million mobilized Ukrainians are eager to return to peaceful life, rebuild their homes and reunite with their families.

The war has forced millions of people to flee their homes and dealt a devastating blow to the country's economy and infrastructure.

However, a simple ceasefire, even with certain security guarantees, risks being perceived as a defeat in Ukrainian society, especially by those most affected by Russia's attack.

The military and the families of the victims may view this as a betrayal of national interests. Even the multibillion-dollar reconstruction programs that would be launched in the event of a ceasefire would not compensate for the sense of devastation and loss.

These sentiments will have a significant impact on the political milieu in the country: instability could undermine Ukraine's fragile recovery, plunging it into a state of political turbulence.

To avoid this, Ukrainians need to receive something symbolically meaningful, but at the same time critical to the national spirit.

This should be compensation for the enormous human losses caused by the war, as well as for the territorial losses that may be recorded, as a result of the negotiation process.

Peace must be accompanied by a transformational step forward.

For Ukraine, there can be only one such step: an accelerated path to EU membership.

EU membership will be a real breakthrough for Ukraine, providing not only economic benefits but also full integration into the values and institutions of the European space.

It will be a safeguard against political regression and will help harmonize Ukraine with countries that have successfully overcome the shadow of authoritarianism.

The integration process will strengthen Ukraine's commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law, and market reforms.

Ukraine has already made significant progress on its European integration. Since the signing of the Association Agreement and Free Trade Area with the EU in 2014, the country has substantially completed the implementation of EU legislation.

In 2022, Ukraine received the status of an EU candidate.

With the outbreak of the war and the EU's decision to grant Ukraine full "free trade" in the form of autonomous trade preferences, the country has been operating as a full-fledged participant in the European common market for three years.

Now, it is crucial to ensure political will within the country and mobilize international support to speed up the final stages of integration. This is not only a task for Brussels, but also for Ukraine’s key Euro-Atlantic allies — the U.S. and the UK.

To do this, European leaders must make what is probably the most politically bold decision in the history of the EU and ensure that Ukraine joins the EU in record time, within one to two years.

Ukraine's integration process can be implemented with certain conditions: the fulfillment of obligations in various areas and sectors can be postponed, but the country will become a full member of the EU.

EU membership is not just a political choice, but a strategic necessity.

For Ukrainians, it symbolizes hope and a sense of justice for the sacrifices made since the Revolution of Dignity.

It will be the logical conclusion of a long struggle for the European dream, which has always been much bigger than the aspiration for NATO membership.

For Europe and the U.S., this is a unique chance to anchor Ukraine in the Western democratic space, significantly reduce the risk of future conflicts, and ensure long-term stability in Europe.

The new administration has a unique opportunity to become a key driver of Ukraine's successful EU integration.

Using its influence and strong ties with European states, Washington can help remove bureaucratic and political obstacles that threaten to delay this important process.

In addition, the U.S. position in negotiations with the Kremlin will play a crucial role in reducing Russia's potential resistance to Ukraine's integration into the EU.

Moreover, Ukraine's accession to the EU may become a stabilizing factor in relations with Russia. Unlike NATO enlargement, which Moscow sees as an existential threat, Ukraine's integration into the EU is much less opposed.

To realize this vision, Ukraine's EU integration should become a central element of the foreign policy of the U.S. and the UK.

This requires a multifaceted approach that includes diplomatic support, economic assistance, and strategic communication.

It's important to convey a narrative about the benefits of Ukraine's EU membership to both Ukrainian society and the global community.

This integration should be presented not only as an economic or political goal, but as a fundamental element of peace and stability in the region.

Mykhailo Bno-Airiian is the former governor of the Kyiv region, special trade representative of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine.