Written by on July 29, 2023
officials are expected to warn Ukraine that its hopes of a fast track to membership will not be met at a key summit in today.
The bloc’s leaders granted candidate status to Ukraine in June last year, just months after Russia sent troops into the pro-Western country. But the path to full membership remains long, and could take years.
It is understood that EU chief and the head of the European council Charles Michel will quietly inform Ukraine’s president Volodymyr that his country will not enjoy special treatment – though no announcement will be made that could detract from the alliance built between Kyiv and Europe.
Zelensky and Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal remain undeterred, however.
‘I believe that Ukraine deserves to start negotiations on EU membership this year,’ Zelensky declared to the media on Thursday after talks with von der Leyen.
‘Only together a strong Ukraine and a strong European Union can protect the life we value.’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L) shake hands after a joint press conference following their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, 02 February 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky receives European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Kyiv, Ukraine February 2, 2023
Von der Leyen, Zelensky and Shmyhal hold a Ukraine and EU flag in Kyiv
Von der Leyen arrived in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv on Thursday with Michel and the EU’s most senior diplomat, Josep Borrell in preparation for today’s summit.
Air raid sirens rang out in Kyiv and across Ukraine this morning, but the summit is expected to go ahead without delay.
<div class="art-ins mol-factbox floatRHS news" data-version="2" id="mol-74dc0fe0-a39f-11ed-bf42-0539fd9159a6" website plays down any hopes of fast track membership for UkraineIf you adored this post and you would like to get more information relating to volunteer kindly go to the web site.
