Zelensky responded to von der Leyen’s remarks about the timeline for Ukraine’s EU membership

The European Union (EU) must give Ukraine a specific accession date if it truly wants to see the country inside the bloc.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this while commenting on remarks by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that it is impossible to set a specific date.

Zelensky noted that within a few days Ukraine would be technically ready to open all negotiating clusters, so from then on the decision would depend on the political will of EU member states. According to him, not all EU leaders are ready for this, and everyone knows “who the reason is, who is blocking it.”

He also said Kyiv cannot rely on Moscow’s promises not to hinder Ukraine’s EU membership, because Russia could allegedly use Hungary.

“That’s why our position has been: we need a clear date for the end of the war, a document that will be signed by our partners, as well as by Russia and our partners… EU membership is also a security guarantee for Ukraine. Therefore we need a specific date,” Zelensky said.

Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during a visit to Kyiv, said that the EU cannot name a specific date for Ukraine’s membership in the bloc. She did not directly answer a question about whether Ukraine could join the EU in 2027. According to her, Kyiv is on the right path and is carrying out the necessary reforms to modernize the country.