EU accession for Ukraine under discussion: Von der Leyen raises expectations
Created: 02/28/2022, 07:17
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission © Stephanie Lecocq/dpa
The fighting in the Ukraine conflict continues.
Meanwhile, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen comments on Ukraine's admission to the EU.
Brussels - Ukraine is neither a member of NATO nor the EU.
As it turns out, Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to prevent accession to the security alliance at all costs.
The Ukraine conflict is raging.
But the events seem to weld the West all the more together.
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has now commented on Ukraine's possible accession to the European Union.
She spoke out in favor of it.
Asked on Sunday (February 27) by a Euronews reporter about the country's inclusion in the community, she said: "In time, they do indeed belong to us.
They are one of us and we want them in.” She also emphasized that there are already several areas of cooperation.
Ukraine soon EU member?
Selenskyj is pushing for a decision
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushed for a decision.
"It is a crucial moment to end once and for all the long-standing discussion and decide on Ukraine's membership of the EU," he wrote on Twitter.
Ukraine has been working towards joining the Alliance for some time.
This goal has also been enshrined in the constitution since 2019.
Zelenskyj tweeted about a phone call with von der Leyen: "We talked about concrete decisions to strengthen Ukraine's defense capacities, about macro-financial aid and Ukraine's membership in the EU."
(You can also read more news and background information on the Ukraine conflict in our Politics Newsletter.)
Volodymyr Selenskyj, President of Ukraine (archive image) © Tobias Hase/dpa
Ukraine conflict current: Russia continues attacks
Meanwhile, while Russian troops continue their attacks on Ukraine, Moscow and Kyiv plan to meet for peace talks on Monday (February 28).
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made it clear that he had little hope in the negotiations.
You can read more Ukraine developments from Monday night here.
The European Union meanwhile increased the pressure on Russia.
The Ukrainian armed forces are to receive weapons and equipment worth half a billion euros.
In addition, the EU imposed sanctions on the Russian central bank.
US President Joe Biden wants to talk to allies and partners this Monday about how to proceed.
(dpa/cibo)
