The European Commission will finalize recommendations on granting Ukraine EU candidate status by the end of next week, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen..
" We've been working day and night on this score.. I promised you in April that we will work tirelessly on this, and our discussions will allow us to complete this work before the end of next week,"
She also said that the talks held in Kyiv with Zelensky would make it possible to finalize the assessment of Ukraine's application for EU membership by the end of next week..
" Do not misunderstand me. War in Ukraine. So your focus and our support is on overcoming this terrible war.. But we want to look ahead,” she added..
At the same time, Zelensky said that the response of the European Union to Ukraine's application for membership will show whether Europe has a future..
" Not only for Ukraine, but also for the European Union, for the entire European continent. It is now being decided what the future of a united Europe will be and whether there will be any. Russia wants to destroy European unity, wants to leave Europe divided and weak. All of Europe is a target for Russia. And Ukraine is only the first stage in this aggression, in these plans,"
That is why, according to the head of state, "
Zelensky stressed that the people of Ukraine have already made a great contribution to the protection of freedom and values \u200b\u200bshared with the European Union.
" During such a brutal war, the Ukrainians proved that state and public institutions remain steadfast.
Our people are absolutely integrated into the European space,"
He also noted that polls conducted among the European population showed that people support Ukraine in joining the EU..
" And we are really looking forward to the recognition of this reality at the political level on June 23-24, when the historic meeting of the European Council is to take place for us.. His logical decision should be to grant Ukraine the status of an EU candidate country.. We really believe in this... The Ukrainian people will do everything necessary for the European integration of Ukraine,"