‘Potential’ to begin Ukraine EU entry talks this yr: Kyiv

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated after internet hosting a summit with the EU on Friday that it was “attainable” to begin official accession talks already this yr.

The Ukrainian president spoke after internet hosting European Union chief Charles Michel and European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen for a summit in Kyiv earlier Friday.

“What precisely did we agree upon at this time?” Zelensky stated in his conventional night handle to the nation.

“There may be an understanding that it’s attainable to begin negotiations on Ukraine’s membership within the European Union this yr.”

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Whereas the highest EU officers careworn their backing for the war-torn nation’s integration with Brussels, von der Leyen cautioned that there could possibly be “no inflexible timelines” for Ukrainian membership or talks.

Zelensky has pressed for a speedy accession to the EU as Ukraine fends off Russia’s almost year-long invasion.

“Tonight we are able to say that Ukraine is shifting in the direction of its objective,” he stated on Friday.

“We spoke and are already talking as members of the European neighborhood.”