EU's Commitment to Ukraine: A Path Toward Membership and Cooperation

In recent discussions, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the European Union's commitment to supporting Ukraine. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Euronews, she emphasized, "Ukraine is one of us and we want them in the European Union," highlighting the EU's ongoing support for the nation amidst its ongoing conflict. This statement follows several significant actions taken by Brussels, including the provision of military aid to Ukraine, implementing a ban on Russian-backed media within the EU, and restricting Russian aircraft from entering EU airspace. Despite her strong endorsement of Ukraine's future in the EU, von der Leyen did not confirm the swift membership sought by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. She noted, “We have a process with Ukraine that is, for example, integrating the Ukrainian market into the single market," reflecting the ongoing collaboration between the EU and Ukraine in various sectors. Furthermore, she mentioned their cooperation on energy matters, indicating crucial steps in unifying operational frameworks. "So many topics where we work very closely together and indeed over time, they belong to us. They are one of us and we want them in," she added, reinforcing the EU's vision for Ukraine's future. Addressing the state of relations with Russia, von der Leyen expressed that trust in President Vladimir Putin is "completely broken and eroded." Her comments suggest a cautious approach should peace talks arise between Ukraine and Russia. She stated, "Of course, it is important that the Ukrainian side agrees to the peace talks and that conditions are fine for the Ukrainian side," acknowledging the importance of favorable circumstances for negotiations while highlighting the ongoing mistrust in the Russian leadership. For more insights, view the entire interview with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the player at the top of the page.