Von der Leyen and Zelenskiy Discuss Ukraine’s Path to EU Membership and Reforms
Key Discussions and Developments on Ukraine’s EU Accession
Von der Leyen’s Statement on Accession Process
BRUSSELS, May 27 (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday she had discussed Ukraine's path to EU membership with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
"The coming weeks will be important to take decisive steps forward in the accession process," she said in a post on social media platform X.
Debate Over Associate Membership Proposal
German Chancellor’s Suggestion
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz earlier this month suggested permitting Ukraine "associate" membership in the bloc, allowing it to participate in EU meetings and institutions without a vote, as an interim step toward full membership - a proposal that Zelenskiy has labelled as unfair.
Zelenskiy’s Response and Reform Progress
Zelenskiy has said Ukraine has pressed ahead with reforms needed for EU membership, with an opportunity for substantive progress on talks following the electoral defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a staunch opponent of Ukraine's EU membership.
European Support Amid Ongoing Conflict
Defence Priorities and Integration
Von der Leyen added that Europe continues to support Ukraine amid its war with Russia.
Focus on Air Defence and Drone Capabilities
"Air defence and drone and counter-drone capabilities are among Europe's most urgent defence priorities. And Ukraine will be fully integrated into these efforts," she said.
(Reporting by Makini Brice, editing by Deepa Babington)
