THE Ukrainian chairman Volodymyr Zelensky stated that his country, in which Russia invaded at the end of February 2022, it is worth starting from this year the talks for its accession to European Union.

“I think Ukraine deserves to start EU accession negotiations this year”Zelensky said on the eve of the summit in Kyiv between the European Union and Ukraine.

Ukraine, an official candidate for EU membership from June 2022, is hosting a summit today, Friday (2/3), with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel.

Von der Leyen assured Ukraine of the full support of the European Union, upon her arrival today in Kyiv, accompanied by her commissioners.

The future of the EU is being written, right now, in Ukraine.
This is a fight for freedom, sovereignty and democracy. 🇪🇺 🇺🇦@vonderleyen pic.twitter.com/L6UNdkdFg4

— Volodymyr Zelenskyi (@ZelenskyyUa) February 2, 2023

“I’m glad to be back in Kyiv, for the fourth time since the Russian invasion and this time with my team of commissioners,” he tweeted. “We are here together to show that the EU stands firmly by Ukraine.”

The president of the European Commission is accompanied by the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell and almost fifteen European Commissioners who are expected to meet their colleagues in the Ukrainian government.

Important meeting with @ZelenskaUA‘s on Ukraine’s orphans.

Ukraine and EU want to make sure that loving families can care for them.

As a start, we will provide up to €10 million for the design of a modern childcare strategy, with a twinning project, so we can share expertise. pic.twitter.com/R76PqnvY1S

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 2, 2023

The Commission described this visit as a “strong symbol” of European support for Ukraine “against the unjustified aggression” of Russia.

Your determination to forge ahead on your European path is amazing.

You are taking notable steps forward to meet our recommendations, while at the same time fighting an invasion.

We will continue to support your efforts on making further progress. pic.twitter.com/3ulNAuzLCG

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 2, 2023

French President Emmanuel Macron warned in May that the process of joining the European Union could take “decades”.

Today, I held a meeting of the Staff, for the first time in a dual format. First, the traditional full composition of the Staff. We reviewed the situation at the front, Russia’s attempts to increase pressure in Donbas. The issue of supplying the army. Training of personnel and other issues of constant attention of the Staff. And then, in the afternoon, an additional meeting of the members of the Staff in a narrow format. For a particularly important conversation. We will not leave any aggressive action of the invader without our response. The enemy is at a specific stage when Russia’s strategic defeat is already clear. But tactically, they still have the reimgs to attempt offensive actions. We have to continue what we are doing: strengthen our resilience, be absolutely united in our aspiration to provide our army and all defenders with the necessary weapons and equipment – ​​we in Ukraine need to speak with one voice to the world on defense supplies. We also need to tangibly increase global pressure on Russia every month. We also continue our fight against the internal enemy. I am grateful to the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigation, the Prosecutor General’s Office and all those who are involved in the cleansing of our country. New steps will follow. I thank each and every one of our warriors! All soldiers and sailors, sergeants and foremen, officers and generals! To everyone who is resilient! I thank everyone who helps Ukraine! 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

Posted by Volodymyr Zelenskyi on Thursday, February 2, 2023

A center for the prosecution of the “crime of aggression” in Ukraine is established in The Hague

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday (2/2) that an international center to prosecute the “crime of aggression” in Ukraine will be set up in The Hague.

“He will coordinate the collection of evidence, he will be integrated into the joint investigation team supported by our service Eurojust” (European Union Organization for Cooperation in the Field of Criminal Justice), von der Leyen said during an official visit to Kyiv together with almost fifteen EU Commissioners for two days of high-level talks.

An act of aggression is defined by the United Nations as “the invasion or attack by the armed forces of one State (on) the territory of another State or any military occupation”.

The International Criminal Court, also based in The Hague in the Netherlands, is already investigating charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The ICC has jurisdiction to prosecute the “crime of genocide” in Ukraine, but not Russia’s “crime of aggression” in that country.