Ukraine has officially commenced formal negotiations for European Union membership alongside Moldova, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s pro-European aspirations. This milestone arrives twelve years after the Euromaidan Revolution, sparked by then-President Yanukovych’s decision to halt an association agreement with the EU in favor of closer ties with Russia. The 2014 protests, initially aimed at peaceful integration with Europe, descended into violent clashes between protesters and security forces, resulting in over one hundred deaths – known as the “Heavenly Hundred.” Oleksandr Inytsky, a humanitarian worker who aided protesters during the revolution, reflects on the initial hope for a peaceful path towards European integration. He and his colleagues transitioned from managing protests to evacuating the wounded as the Maidan became a battlefield. Despite ongoing war with Russia, Ukraine is now pursuing its long-held goal of EU membership, though the timeline for full accession remains uncertain. The sacrifices made during Euromaidan are remembered as foundational to this pursuit of a European future.