Zelenskyy explains why date for EU accession matters for Ukraine after von der Leyen's remarks
President Zelenskyy emphasizes the importance of a specific timeline for Ukraine's EU accession in light of comments from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy provided insights on the recent statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who indicated that determining a specific date for Ukraine's accession to the EU is currently unfeasible. During an online briefing, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is technically ready to initiate discussions on six negotiation clusters related to its EU membership. However, he pointed out that the progress of these discussions hinges on the political readiness of EU member states, which he claims is not uniform among the leaders of the bloc.
In his remarks, Zelenskyy highlighted that while Ukraine's preparations for EU integration are advancing, not all European Union leaders are as supportive. He noted that there are specific individuals or nations within the EU that are impeding Ukraine's aspirations for membership. His comments underscore the frustration felt within Ukraine regarding the pace of the accession process and the influence of certain EU members on these developments.
Additionally, Zelenskyy expressed skepticism regarding any assurances from Russia, suggesting that Moscow may seek to undermine Ukraine's EU bid through indirect methods, such as exerting influence over Hungary. This assertion reflects the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding Ukraine's integration into European structures and emphasizes the complexities that lie ahead in the accession process, which is closely watched by both pro-European and pro-Russian factions within the region.