In an address on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that granting Ukraine European Union (EU) membership would not only strengthen the country but the entire bloc, vowing to “work even harder at all levels to get the right decision” later this month.
He also said that it is a “crucial” time, as Russia wants to “destroy European unity,” leaving it “divided and weak.” “The whole of Europe is a target for Russia, and Ukraine is only the first stage in this aggression in these plans. That is why the European Union’s positive response to Ukraine’s application for membership can be a positive response to the question of whether the European project has a future at all,” Zelensky asserted.
The people of Ukraine are showing incredible strength and stamina.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 11, 2022
Today I’m in Kyiv to continue discussions on our efforts to support in rebuilding your beautiful country.
And the process of advancing on the 🇪🇺 path. https://t.co/C0Cij7Evpt
The Ukrainian leader noted that the government is working with the EU “every day,” and has “provided all the necessary answers in a very short time.” Ukraine’s EU membership application status will be decided during a special meeting of the European Council on June 23-24. However, a few European countries have opposed accelerating the membership process for Kyiv, owing to its rampant systemic corruption and arguing that North Macedonia and Albania are much further along the candidacy path than Ukraine.
Nevertheless, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine is willing to do “everything necessary” to be integrated with the bloc. “The European project certainly cannot be complete without us, without Ukraine, and this is absolutely obvious right now when the Ukrainian people are bravely defending the future for themselves and all the nations of Europe,” he added in reference to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
On June 17, the European Commission will issue its opinion on granting Ukraine candidate status. While EU politicians are considering whether or not to grant Ukrainians candidate status, I feel that ordinary people accept us into a large European family #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/JXfDCbyWhH
— Oleksandra Matviichuk (@avalaina) June 12, 2022
Ukraine applied for a fast-track EU membership right after the Russian invasion began on February 24. In March, the European Parliament approved it with an overwhelming majority. In April, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had given the application questionnaire to Zelensky on her first visit to Kyiv while claiming, “Ukraine belongs in the European family.”
Additionally, President Zelensky also spoke about his meeting with European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen in Kyiv on Saturday, who will give her conclusion regarding Ukraine’s EU membership application later this month.
Scholz and Macron will visit Kyiv these days. Many say, they can bring a promise of EU candidacy. My biggest fear is, they will try to force Ukraine in some sort of "peace" in exchange for this. Ukraine needs EU candidacy AND the victory, not the candidacy and a de facto defeat.
— Sergej Sumlenny (@sumlenny) June 13, 2022
In a joint press conference with von der Leyen following their meeting, Zelensky called for a “powerful” seventh round of sanctions on Russia that targets all Russian officials and judges working on the war, blocking all Russian banks, especially Gazprombank, and all Russian companies that are aiding the military in any form or suppressing democracy and freedom of speech. “The European Union, for its own benefit, must work much faster to completely abandon Russia’s energy resources. This is a fundamental issue of security for all - both for Ukraine and for each EU state,” he added.
The Ukrainian President also thanked von der Leyen for the EC’s new proposal of granting €9 billion ($9.4 billion) for post-war reconstruction. In response, the EC President said that they want to direct investments to rebuild the country “so that Ukraine creates attractive conditions for doing business and can move towards the European Union.”
Green economy & digitalization are in the focus of the Government. During the meeting with @vonderleyen discussed 🇺🇦 recovery plan developing in line with #EU principles. Called on the EU to co-finance SMEs, open roaming, single customs & payment area. Building new Ukraine 🇺🇦🇪🇺! pic.twitter.com/VXF1eo2Lxx
— Denys Shmyhal (@Denys_Shmyhal) June 11, 2022
Regarding Ukraine becoming an EU candidate, von der Leyen stressed, “Ukraine was already on a good track before the horrible and atrocious invasion by Russia,” calling it a “solid, well-grounded parliamentary presidential democracy.” However, she pointed out that the country has to implement some reforms in strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption, and modernising the administration in an effort to attract investors.
“The path is known; it is a merit-based path forward. It is a path where, I must say, I really appreciate the enormous efforts and the determination of Ukraine in this process,” von der Leyen added.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola revealed last week that lawmakers support Ukraine’s EU membership application. “We know how important it is to send a clear signal that Ukraine’s place is within our European family. To tell everyone that Ukraine is Europe,” she added.
The full statement from Roberta Metsola at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit. Ukrainian Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk urged European officials to back Ukraine's candidate status on June 24 and the European Commission will make a concrete decision soon pic.twitter.com/7QSBOA793D
— Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) June 10, 2022
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron are slated to meet with Zelensky in Kyiv this week, according to two anonymous European officials. This follows their joint call with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month, wherein they insisted on a ceasefire and urged Putin to agree to direct dialogue with Zelensky at the earliest.
This will also be their first visit to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began. Earlier, Scholz was criticised for saying that he wouldn’t visit Ukraine for a “mere photo opportunity.” In fact, the Scholz administration has been slammed for not supplying Ukraine with heavy weaponry despite promising to send self-propelled howitzer guns and anti-aircraft tanks, among other advanced weaponry. None of this military support has arrived yet and some deliveries are only expected to be made by the end of the year.