European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she discussed Ukraine’s path to European Union membership with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as Brussels signals key weeks ahead for accession talks.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Ukraine’s progress towards European Union membership.
In a post on X, she said: “The coming weeks will be important to take decisive steps forward in the accession process.”
The comments come as Brussels prepares for renewed momentum in Ukraine’s long-term bid to join the bloc.
Ukraine has been pressing ahead with reforms required for accession, even as it continues to face Russia’s full-scale invasion.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly argued that Kyiv is making progress on key governance and institutional changes needed for membership talks.
Ukrainian officials are now hoping for substantive movement in negotiations in the coming months, particularly amidst shifting political dynamics within the European Union.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently floated the idea of an “associate membership” model for Ukraine. The proposal would allow participation in EU meetings and institutions without voting rights as an interim step towards full accession.
However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described such a model as unfair, insisting that Ukraine should not be placed in a second-tier status on its path to membership.
Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s ongoing support for Ukraine amidst the war with Russia, highlighting defence cooperation as a key priority.
She said air defence systems, drones and counter-drone capabilities are among Europe’s most urgent security needs, adding that Ukraine will be “fully integrated” into these efforts.
Ukrainian officials have pointed to changing political conditions within the EU as potentially opening space for progress on accession talks.
The leadership change in Hungary, long seen as a major opponent of Ukraine’s EU membership bid, is being closely watched in Kyiv and Brussels as negotiations continue.
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Ukraine targeted a warehouse belonging to Russia’s largest retailer, Wildberries, and an oil refinery overnight, while Moscow said its forces struck a ship carrying military cargo in the Black Sea.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 31st of July, covering the latest developments.
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