The Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, together with members of the College of Commissioners, are travelling to Kyiv on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 February for a College meeting with the Ukrainian government and then for an EU/Ukraine Summit.
“The meeting and the summit, if taken as a whole, demonstrate the strength of the EU’s assistance to Ukraine”, a senior Commission official said on Wednesday 1 February.
Another source explained that this double meeting was intended to send a political signal to Ukraine. This summit in Kyiv is “a very clear signal while the war is raging, a signal addressed to the Ukrainians - we are there - but also a signal to Russia”, added a senior official.
Both meetings will be about “managing Ukraine’s expectations”, according to one diplomat.
For example, one of the topics expected to be discussed extensively at both meetings is the process of Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
According to a draft text seen by EUROPE, the statement is expected to recall the European Council’s decision to grant Ukraine candidate country status last June, adding that the EU will decide on further steps to be taken once all the conditions specified in the Commission’s opinion are fully met. Ukraine must meet seven conditions before it can open accession negotiations.
In the declaration, the EU should also encourage Ukraine to continue on the path of reform and recall that the Commission has been asked to report on the fulfilment of the conditions specified in the Commission’s opinion on Ukraine’s application for membership in the framework of its regular enlargement package in 2023. This package is normally published in the autumn.
“Without prejudice to this regular report, we have taken note of the Commission’s intention to provide an update in spring 2023” on Ukraine’s progress, the draft statement said.
Some Member States, like the EPP Group in the European Parliament (see EUROPE 13109/4), would like to see a real progress report by the spring.
On Thursday, the meeting between part of the College of Commissioners and the Ukrainian government should, according to a senior Commission official, deepen sectoral cooperation with Ukraine. The aim is to take stock of current European aid and the possibilities for further cooperation. Both sides are expected to discuss financial and humanitarian support. In particular, the aim is to see where the humanitarian budget can best be used on the ground, but also to take stock of the aid given to the 4 million Ukrainian refugees registered in the European Union.
The meeting is also expected to address the implementation of the Association Agreement and the bilateral free trade area, for example how to remove certain trade barriers to facilitate imports and exports between the EU and Ukraine. The alignment of Ukrainian national law in areas such as security, financial and phytosanitary measures will also be discussed.
The next steps in Ukraine’s reform efforts will also reportedly be discussed.
“There has been a huge reform effort in Ukraine, particularly in the area of the rule of law. The discussions will focus on other reforms, including the fight against corruption and the judiciary”, the official said.
Bilateral meetings between Commissioners and members of the Ukrainian government are also planned.
On Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and the High Representative of the Union, Josep Borrell will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a summit, the first since the invasion of Russia. A declaration is expected to be adopted at the end of the meeting.
The summit will be held in two sessions, with several topics on the agenda: the EU integration and accession process, the EU’s response to Russian aggression, discussions on Mr Zelensky’s peace plan - which the EU is expected to support, as well as the idea of a Peace Formula Summit - on reconstruction, and the global food agenda.
“We feel that the agreement with Ukraine could be further developed. We hope that the summit will endorse an action plan for the coming year in key sectors: telecommunications, health, etc. All this is intended to optimise the exchanges”, explained another official.
The summit declaration will reportedly refer to ‘unity in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine’, through humanitarian support, accountability, but also through sanctions against Russia. “The EU stands ready to continue to strengthen restrictive measures in close coordination and cooperation with global partners, while ensuring their effective implementation and preventing their circumvention and facilitation”, the draft statement said.
Speaking to journalists, Mr Borrell said the EU was looking at “anything that could cut the technological link” between the Union and Russia, or even critical raw materials.
He recalled that the purpose of the sanctions was to reduce Russia’s financial capacity so that it could no longer finance its war machine. “I know it takes time, but it’s coming now”, he said, pointing out that Russia was budgeting for oil sales at $70 a barrel and was currently selling it at $40.
The summit will also be the occasion to announce a new €25 million aid package for mine clearance. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with Thomas Mangin)