EU-Ukraine summit in Kyiv: A signal, but not much more

Enlarge image

Summit meeting in Kyiv: EU Council President Charles Michel (from left), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

Photo:

SERGEY DOLZHENKO / EPO

The meeting between the Ukrainian government and EU leaders in Kyiv did not send much more than a signal.

And neither should it.

"Our presence in Kyiv today is a very clear signal: the entire European Union is on the side of Ukraine in the long term," said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In one of the most important issues for Ukraine, Kyiv had raised expectations in advance to such an extent that a concrete summit result was impossible.

The Ukrainian head of government Denys Schmyhal had brought his country's full membership in the EU into play within two years - and in the SPIEGEL interview specified how Ukraine wants to achieve this in such a short time.

The accession process that prepares a country for the adoption of EU law usually takes many years or even decades.

And so there was no concrete time perspective at the summit in Kyiv.

In a final declaration, the EU merely reaffirmed its determination to support the country's European integration.

Even behind closed doors, the Commission is reticent.

From a Brussels perspective, the main result of the meeting was how it came about: For the first time in its history, the commission traveled with such a large contingent – ​​in addition to von der Leyen, 15 of the 26 commissioners were present – ​​to an active war zone.

Council President Charles Michel also traveled with them.

Ukraine has been a candidate country since June

In June, the EU declared Ukraine, together with Moldova, to be a candidate for EU membership.

In the EU, this was seen as a more symbolic gesture, as it does not involve any commitment as to when or even if the country in question will join the EU.

In Ukraine, however, the accession candidate status has apparently raised expectations that von der Leyen and other EU countries are now trying to manage.

Nevertheless, Selenskyj made it clear that he would like to start accession negotiations this year.

"Not a single day will be lost" in the work for rapprochement with the EU.

The 27 EU countries must decide unanimously on negotiations.

• You can read all the important developments of the day on the Ukraine war here.

Politicians and diplomats from other EU countries regularly point out that the EU itself is currently not prepared to accept further countries – because if Ukraine and Moldova were to be added, the pressure would increase to finally admit the candidate countries in the Western Balkans to the EU leave those who have been waiting for it for a long time.

In this case, it is feared, the EU could become incapable of acting, since unanimity is required in key areas such as foreign, security and financial policy.

On the other hand, there were clear commitments from the EU with a view to the Ukraine war.

"The EU will support you in every possible way for as long as necessary," Michel promised.

In particular, von der Leyen pledged further aid for reconstruction.

So far, according to their own statements, the EU and its member states have already mobilized almost 50 billion euros.

hba/mbe/dpa