In September, the EU membership negotiation clusters will open only for Moldova. Ukraine has been excluded from this process. While previously Ukraine and Moldova were considered part of a single European integration package, they are now treated separately. And Hungary’s pressure was not the only decisive factor in this shift.After the Ukrainian authorities voted against the independence of anti-corruption agencies, several EU countries — which had previously opposed splitting the integration tracks — refused to veto the separation of the two cases. This ultimately cleared the way for the EU’s decision not to launch negotiation clusters with Ukraine in sync with Moldova."Thus, the authorities’ decision to protect corrupt allies and themselves has led to a halt in Ukraine’s progress toward European integration."This is exactly what Moscow is exploiting. Talks with Putin are already being prepared. It is more convenient for him to deal with an authoritarian Zelenskyy than with the president of a democratic state.The same has already happened in Georgia: the EU suspended projects, international aid disappeared, and the influence of Russia and China continues to grow. This is the scenario now being prepared for Ukraine.But Ukrainians have shown once again that even during war, we are capable of fighting for democracy. It was the young people who took to the streets, along with the stance of international partners, that stopped the complete dismantling of the anti-corruption system.Now the key task is to prevent a democratic state from turning into an imitation of power serving a narrow circle of interests. Ukraine’s defeat could come not only on the battlefield but also in the parliament hall, if we lose the freedom, dignity, and values we are fighting for.SourceAbout the author. Mykola Kniazhytskyi, journalist, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament.The editorial team does not always share the opinions expressed by blog or column authors.