Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked EU heads of state and government for their support in his video address on Thursday evening and at the same time called for his country to be quickly admitted to the Union.” This decision will be one of the strongest of this decade and will determine, in many aspects, the entire future path of the European Union”, emphasized Zelensky. Ukraine has met the requirements for accession negotiations.
“Either our entire Europe, together with Ukraine, together with Moldova, and in the future together with Georgia and Belarus, will win, or… the past will win,” the Ukrainian leader continued. Each nation’s path to the EU is based on merit and institutional development. Ukraine is doing this job well. “Even despite the war, we do not demand any exceptions to the general rules. Ukraine has practically implemented seven of the European Commission’s recommendations.”
Ukraine is counting on “Europe’s unity as a response – the decision to start negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.” Zelensky thanked the EU for its support packages for Ukraine and its sanctions packages against Russia: “The key now is to ensure that all sanctions are fully effective and that Russia cannot circumvent them.” A twelfth sanctions package is currently in the works.
In his speech, he warned of a conflagration in the Middle East. “The enemies of freedom are very interested in taking the free world to a second front.” We have to clearly recognize the scenario and face it together. “The sooner there is security in the Middle East, the sooner we will restore security here – in Europe.”
Several senior EU officials said in Brussels on Wednesday that there were plans to restrict Russia’s diamond trade. Furthermore, there could be, among other things, a ban on the import of aluminum and restrictions on the export of other goods that can be used not only for civilian but also military purposes.
The EU summit emphasizes the EU’s “unwavering support for Ukraine” in drafts of the final declaration. The EU will continue to provide financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic assistance. Today’s summit is also discussing the European Commission’s proposed increase in the EU’s long-standing budget, including to support the reconstruction of Ukraine with €50 billion. A decision on this is unlikely to be made before the December meeting.