Zelensky: Possible EU accession talks this year
00:30 | Ukraine can still start EU membership negotiations this year. This is what President Volodimir Zelensky said in his daily video address last night. Earlier in the day, however, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said there was no “narrow timeliness” for the switch.
Von der Leyen, Zelenski and the President of the European Council of Heads of Government Charles Michel met on Friday in Kiev. The Ukrainian president says that the country already speaks of him ‘as a member of the European community’. According to Zelensky, that status just needs to be made legal, and the possibility of starting that process this year was discussed at the summit.
The extraordinary EU summit was deliberately held in the country invaded by Russia last February to demonstrate EU support for Ukraine on the ground. Michel said the EU had stood side by side with Ukraine “from minute one” and will continue to do so. Von der Leyen expressed his admiration for Zelensky for “your determination to join the European Union”. She also complimented her government on the progress the country is making, including in the fight against corruption. But you also made it clear that Ukraine, like other aspiring member states, must meet all EU requirements to become a member.
Zelensky believes the circumstances call for an expedited procedure. A number of EU member states, including the Netherlands, are concerned about the rush and perhaps too high expectations raised by EU leaders.