On Saturday 11 June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for his country to be granted EU candidate status. Such a decision could be made at the European Council meeting on 23 and 24 June.
“We are at a decisive moment for Ukraine, the EU and the whole of Europe”, he said at a press briefing with European Commission President Usula von der Leyen in Kyiv. According to him, the whole of Europe is a target for Russia, and Ukraine is the first step in its plan. “That is why a positive response on the Ukrainian application for membership can become a positive answer to the question whatever there is a future for the European project”, he explained.
The Ukrainian President recalled that, according to surveys in European countries, the “vast majority” of Europeans consider Ukraine to be part of the European family. He called for the recognition of “this reality” at political level at the “historic” European Council meeting at the end of June.
Zelensky also warned that obtaining status would only be the beginning of the road to membership, adding that his country needed to make reforms in the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
The Commission President did not disclose the opinion of her institution on the Ukrainian application, which she is expected to publish on 17 June. The Commission could propose granting the status under conditions related to the rule of law and anti-corruption legislation (see EUROPE 12969/18).
Ms von der Leyen highlighted that the process was based on merit. “I really appreciate Ukraine’s enormous efforts and determination in this process”, she said. According to the President, the country is “a solid, well-grounded parliamentary presidential democracy” which has “robust and well-anchored institutions, a functioning administration at all levels”, and “is highly digitised”.
However, “there still needs to be reforms implemented, to fight corruption for example, or to modernise the administration, which will also help attract investors”, Ms von der Leyen warned, adding that the reform programme had to show results.
She also highlighted the reconstruction of the country, saying that she shared the same goals with Ukraine: “to channel investment and implement reforms in order to improve the lives of Ukrainians, to rebuild Ukraine, to make Ukraine attractive to investors, to create a favourable environment for the business sector and, of course, to help Ukraine on its way to Europe”.
The Ukrainian president again called on the EU to adopt more sanctions against Russia, whether against Russian officials or companies that support the war, or on Russian energy. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)