Kyiv, 4 November 2023 (TDI): European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Saturday ahead of an EU membership report.
The European Union is expected to present next week on Ukraine’s progress on its membership application.
Von der Leyen wrote, “Good to be back in Kyiv for my sixth visit to discuss Ukraine’s accession path to the EU. The EU financially supports to rebuild Ukraine as a modern prosperous democracy.”
And how we continue to make Russia pay for its war of aggression, she said.
Moreover, the EU assessment based to detail how far Ukraine has progressed in meeting various economic, legal, and other criteria.
Although this paves the way for it to start accession negotiations in December, Ukraine applied to join the European Union days after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, making joining the trading bloc a top priority.
The 27 EU members are due to decide at a summit in December. Furthermore, whether to allow Kyiv to begin accession negotiations with the unanimous support of all bloc members.
Albeit German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reiterated Ukraine’s request and was confident the EU would move forward next month.
Additionally, accession talks, which include legal, political, and economic reforms, typically last several years.
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The ongoing war in the south and east of Ukraine makes things more difficult, and there is no end in sight.
Von der Leyen’s visit coincides with fatigue among Ukrainian troops and concerns about future US military aid, which is crucial for Kyiv.
Ukrainian Member of Parliament P Yaroslav Zheleznyak said that von der Leyen is expected to speak in the Ukrainian parliament.
Albeit the important message is the assurance that we will stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary,” she said.
Furthermore, von der Leyen was scheduled to hold meetings with other Ukrainian officials.