European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky during a surprise visit to Kyiv on Ukraine’s progress in its bid to join the European Union, and said it would work for the the country war.
“You have done a lot to strengthen the rule of law, but anti-corruption reforms still need to be implemented, for example,” von der Layen said during a joint appearance with Zelensky, according to Bloomberg. noting that the EU is preparing its opinion on Ukraine’s application for membership. “Today’s debate will allow us to complete the evaluation by the end of next week.”
The head of the Commission made her second visit to Kyiv after the Russian invasion last February, at a critical moment for Ukraine, whose army is facing heavy fighting in the eastern part of its territory and is struggling to fill a financial gap of about 5 billion a month.
The commission is expected to recommend on June 17 that Ukraine be granted candidate status to join the bloc on terms related to the rule of law and the fight against corruption, according to those familiar with the matter. “We are working day and night for this evaluation,” she said.
This opinion, which must be approved by the Commission, must receive the unanimous approval of the 27 Member States before Ukraine’s application can be processed. This opinion will start a long process of accession that can take more than a decade, during which the country must adopt EU rules and standards.
Von der Leyen discussed at length with Zelensky the questionnaire submitted by his government in mid-April to assess the country’s readiness to join the bloc. The Commission’s panel of commissioners will hold an orientation debate on the issue on Monday, with a view to the decision later this week.
The issue is emotional for Ukraine, and Zelensky said there was “no alternative” to joining the EU, as the country seeks to integrate its future into Europe.
Russia wants to divide Europe, Zelensky said on Saturday, and that the European plan could not be completed without Ukraine. “Europe as a whole is a target for Russia,” he said.
Several countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Portugal, remain reluctant to allow any expressway for Ukraine to join the EU.
Some argue that the country does not adequately comply with EU principles related to the rule of law or fundamental rights, while others say Ukraine may not be preferred to existing applicants due to the ongoing war.
Countries such as Poland, Lithuania and Ireland, meanwhile, are backing Ukraine’s bid to join the EU, and many are open to supporting the candidate’s status as a moral impetus for Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion. . The President of the Commission has stated on several occasions that Ukraine belongs to the European family and “we want it in the European Union”.
EU leaders will discuss Ukraine’s application for membership in the bloc during the next summit on June 23-24 in Brussels. Moldova and Georgia have also applied to join the EU around the same time, awaiting the Commission’s opinion.
Zelensky also thanked the EU for sanctions against Russia that have put it under “significant pressure”. He urged the bloc to adopt a seventh package that would include all Russian officials and judges “working for the war.”
Source: Capital
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