She reiterated that the EU will continue to support Ukraine in the war against Russia. On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that his country, despite the difficult circumstances, will not ask for concessions in order to achieve its goal of joining the EU.
Next week, the EC will publish a report on how far Ukraine has progressed in fulfilling various economic, legal and other criteria, so that formal negotiations on joining the EU can begin soon.
At the meeting of EU leaders in December, it will be decided whether to allow Ukraine to start accession negotiations. This will require the support of the leaders of all 27 member states.
Leyen made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Saturday to talk about Ukraine’s path to EU membership.
Ukrainian President Zelensky met him already at the Kyiv railway station.
After that, the two leaders awarded the best employees of the Ukrainian state railway company “Ukrzaliznitsa” right there on the platform, honoring them on the Day of Railway Workers, which Ukraine celebrates on November 4.
In their speeches, Zelenskyi and Leyen indicated that the railway is vital for Ukraine’s victory over the invading troops.
“We will defend Ukraine, I am absolutely sure of that. We will defend our independence. I am grateful to everyone whose work makes Ukraine stronger,” said Zelensky.
This is already the sixth visit of the President of the EC to Ukraine after Russia launched a repeated invasion of the country last February.
The visit comes ahead of Wednesday’s Leyen report on Ukraine’s progress in implementing reforms needed to join the bloc.
The report could be of great importance when EU leaders decide in December whether to formally start accession talks with Ukraine.
Good to be back in Kyiv for my 6th war time visit.
I’m here to discuss Ukraine’s accession path to the EU.
The EU’s financial support to rebuild Ukraine as a modern, prosperous democracy.
And how we will continue to make Russia pay for its war of aggression. pic.twitter.com/dLJ6bUz4UU
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 4, 2023
On her way to Kyiv, Leyen told reporters she wanted to reassure Ukraine “that we are steadfastly on its side” and provide “encouragement and support.”
After the meeting with Leyen, Zelenskiy announced that his country had fulfilled all the recommendations that were necessary for Ukraine to start negotiations on EU membership.
“Ukraine does not require any special conditions on its way to the European Union and fulfills all the recommendations of the European Commission in order to start accession negotiations.
We have made progress in the protection of the rule of law, human rights and freedom of national communities, greater transparency of the work of state institutions, and strengthening the anti-corruption system,” Zelenskiy said.
“And Ukraine does not stop, reforms will continue. We have prepared legislation that will allow the anti-corruption system to work effectively. The bill on the specialized anti-corruption prosecutor’s office has already been submitted to the parliament. We are also working on the law on lobbying, which will make political processes more transparent and protect the country from oligarchs and the subversive influence of others who seek to circumvent the rule of law.”
Leyena, on the other hand, praised what Ukraine has done so far to convince the EU of the need to start accession negotiations.
“You have achieved many milestones in reforming the justice system, curbing the influence of oligarchs, tackling money laundering and much more. This is the result of hard work.
I know you are currently completing the remaining reforms. If this happens, and I am sure of it, then Ukraine can achieve its ambitious goal of entering the next stage of the accession process,” Leyena said.
Leyena also revealed that the EC will soon present the 12th package of sanctions to the EU member states in connection with Russia’s war in Ukraine, as well as come up with a proposal on how to redirect the frozen Russian state assets worth 200 billion euros to Europe for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Ukraine has an official EU candidate status since last summer. However, the 27 EU member states must unanimously support the decision to open accession talks.
In order to continue the path to the EU, Ukraine must carry out several reforms, for example, strengthen the fight against corruption, change the procedure for selecting judges of the Constitutional Court.
Brussels is also demanding that Ukraine meet EU anti-money laundering standards and laws to limit the excessive influence of oligarchs.
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2023-11-04 16:41:15
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