Zelensky asks von der Leyen to launch negotiations for Ukraine to join the EU

“It is very opportune to be here in kyiv to celebrate May 9, Europe Day. kyiv, as the capital of Ukraine, is the beating heart of European values. Ukraine is at the forefront of defending everything that we Europeans hold dear: our freedom, our democracy, our freedom of thought and expression. With courage, Ukraine is fighting for the ideals of Europe that we celebrate today.”

“In Russia, Putin and his regime have destroyed these values.. And now, they are trying to destroy them here in the Ukraine. Because they are afraid of the success you represent and the example you set. And they are afraid of their way to the European Union. But the bully has already failed miserably. Ukraine has withstood the attack and is successfully counterattacking.”

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der LeyenHe has wanted counterprogram the warmongering speech of Vladimir Putin during the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow with a lightning visit to the Ukrainian capital. A trip announced a day in advance despite the security risks, a kind of challenge to the Kremlin, whose purpose was stage seamless EU support for Ukraine.

[Scholz pide en la Eurocámara apoyar a Ucrania: “No nos dejemos intimidar por Putin”]

Ukrainian President, Volodimir Zelensky, has taken advantage of Von der Leyen’s visit to present his list of requests and complaints to the European Union. Zelenski has described as “unacceptable” the veto of Poland, Hungary and other neighboring member states on imports of Ukrainian cereals and has demanded that all restrictions be removed “as soon as possible”.

The Ukrainian president has also claimed to the president of the Commission that the eleventh package of sanctions against Moscow also include the nuclear power sector, which does not appear in the original Brussels proposal. But the most important thing for Zelensky is that the EU start negotiations to accept Ukraine as a new member of the club as soon as possible.

“It is time to end the artificial political opacity in relations between the EU and Ukraine. It is time for a positive decision to open Ukraine’s accession negotiations to the EU“, said the Ukrainian president at a joint press conference with Von der Leyen, in which he demanded a positive opinion on Ukraine’s progress to become a member of the club by June.

European leaders agreed in June 2022 to grant Ukraine the status of accession candidate countrybut made the start of accession negotiations conditional on the implementation by the Kiev government of seven priority reforms in the fight against corruption and strengthening the rule of law.

The Commission president has praised Zelenski’s progress, but has avoided making any concrete commitments on launching the negotiations. “It is impressive to see that, despite being in the middle of the war, Ukraine is working hard and tirelessly and intensively on these seven steps“, has said.

“Much progress has been made, but the work has to continue. We have discussed the details and it is very important that there is progress. But I have great confidence. Our goal now is to produce an oral report by June, but more important is the written report that will assess progress for the whole year. It will be the basis for making a decision and will be presented to Member States in October“, Von der Leyen explained.

As for the sanctions against the Russian nuclear giant Rosatom, the president has also given up on Zelensky’s request. “We are working hard to diversify supply and be independent. It is hard work, but some Member States are making progress and we will continue to push them,” she simply replied.