Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demands that Ukraine join the European Union soon
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday asked the EU heads of state and government gathered in Brussels for Ukraine to join the European Union as quickly as possible, and expressed his hope for the launch of accession negotiations at the next European summit, scheduled for the middle of December, reports AFP.
This problem needs to be addressed "from the perspective of security", he pleaded before the European leaders, via video conference. "Russia is not fighting today to stay in Mariupol, or in Crimea, but to be able to come to Tartu (in Estonia) or Gdansk (in Poland)," he accused.
"Russia is trying to change Ukraine's borders not just to appropriate one or another of our regions, but to change all the borders it doesn't like," he denounced. Volodymyr Zelensky assured that Ukraine is making the necessary efforts to comply with the European accession criteria. "We count on the unity of your response, the decision to launch negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the European Union," Zelensky emphasized.
The war in the Gaza Strip is mobilizing Europeans' attention as doubt grows over the West's ability to continue supporting Ukraine against Russia in another major war wreaking havoc on the EU's doorstep.
This war between Israel and Hamas in the Near East fueled the fears of some about an eclipse of Russia's war against Ukraine, which has been going on for 20 months, according to AFP, quoted by News.ro.
In addition, the crisis in the US Congress has raised questions about the continuation of American military aid to Kiev. The Europeans are pushing forward on a series of measures designed to provide reassurance to Ukraine and ensure that it remains capable of repelling Russian aggression. The 27 are trying to give assurances that the EU will continue to support Ukraine "as long as necessary", they say in the draft summit statement.
