Ahead of the E.U. – Ukraine Summit, the officials have set an ambitious goal of joining the E.U. in 2 years
The President of the European Commission – Ursula von der Leyen today, i.e., Thursday, February 2, 2023, arrived in Kyiv for the European Union (E.U.) – Ukraine Summit which will take place on Friday, February 3, 2023.
Ahead of the E.U. – Ukraine Summit, the officials have set an ambitious goal of joining the E.U. in 2 years. But a group of Member States have warned it should be made clear to Kyiv that this will not be possible.
Earlier in June 2022, Ukraine gained E.U. candidacy status at record speed, in what the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelensky said was a unique and historic moment. While it was the first step to membership, the process typically takes many years and some countries are currently languishing in the queue.
Taking it to twitter, Ursula tweeted,
Good to be back in Kyiv, my 4th time since Russia‘s invasion.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 2, 2023
This time, with my team of Commissioners.
We are here together to show that the EU stands by Ukraine as firmly as ever.
And to deepen further our support and cooperation. pic.twitter.com/zf8fvoNKnG
Ahead of the Summit, Zelenskyy said that it would be a week of European integration and Ukraine is expecting decisions from its E.U. partners in line with progress achieved despite the full-scale war with Russia. An update on Ukraine’s progress towards membership is expected in the spring with a more formal assessment to follow later in the year.
A draft E.U. statement, which will be released after the Summit, reiterates a pledge that Ukraine’s future lies within the E.U. and acknowledges considerable efforts made in recent months towards meeting objectives underpinning its candidate status and carrying out reforms.
Ukraine recently carried out a fresh wave of anti-corruption raids ahead of the Summit. The officials released images of a raid on the house of one of the country’s richest men – Ihor Kolomoisky. Ukraine has plans to implement all 7 of the European Commission’s recommendations, which involve further measures against corruption, tightening laws against money-laundering and the excessive influence of Ukraine’s wealthy oligarchs.
Through this Summit, the E.U. wants to show solidarity with Ukraine, emphasizing the historic nature of holding such a meeting in a warzone, and sending a political signal to Russia that support for Kyiv isn’t waning.
E.U. is also expected to announce the doubling the training mission for Ukrainian troops to 30,000 soldiers and € 25 million to help rid liberated territory of land mines.
