Ukraine is close to meeting the conditions for the next important step towards EU membership, says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. According to her, that goal, which Ukraine wants to achieve this year, is “really within reach” and “I am convinced that you can achieve it.”
Von der Leyen made a surprise visit to Kiev on Saturday on the eve of an important interim report from the commission on Ukraine’s progress. On this basis, the EU countries will decide next month whether the prospective member state is ready for the start of accession negotiations. They transform a candidate member into an EU country politically, legally and economically, step by step. It receives guidance and financial support.
Ukraine has wanted to join the EU for some time, but since Russia invaded the country, this has become a matter of life and death. The war has also caused EU countries to relax their hesitations about expanding the union. Although they did agree that Ukraine, which was still far from the EU administratively and economically, had to meet seven conditions before accession negotiations could begin.
The country has already completed “much more than 90 percent” of that homework, Von der Leyen said in Kiev. The fight against corruption and the rights of minorities still require some extra effort, but “you can make it, and quickly.” Last summer, only two of the seven conditions had been met.
