Leonid Kuchma believes that the time has not yet come for Ukraine to enter the European Union

In order to raise the question about accession to the European Union Ukraine, to begin with, must reach European standards in its development and meet the criteria necessary for being admitted to the EU. Only on this basis can its further rapprochement with the European Union take place. This statement, a RIA Novosti correspondent reports, was made by Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma in Brussels on Wednesday evening, while answering the reporters' questions. The Ukrainian President carried out his Blitz-visit to the Belgian capital to meet Chairman of the European Commission Romano Prodi. Their conversation took place during the working dinner after which Leonid Kuchma and Romano Prodi met with reporters straight at the doors of the restaurant in famous Brussels Grande Place. Leonid Kuchma admits that the expansion of the European Union may have certain negative consequences for his country. He said that Ukraine, jointly with the European Union and Russia, is seeking the most rational solution to this problem so that the expansion would not be so painful for the future closest neighbours of the European Union.