Subscribe here: [ Ссылка ] Von der Leyen and her top team arrived in Kyiv on Thursday for a symbolic EU-Ukraine summit. Looking out from the historic Gorodetsky House in a central Kyiv now populated with sandbags and heavy armory, Volodymyr Zelenskyy had one big ask for his guests on Thursday: Take Ukraine’s wish to enter the EU seriously.
Zelenskyy welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to a heavily fortified compound in the heart of Kyiv as part of a day-long series of meetings between the Zelenskyy government and EU officials, during a visit rich with symbolism.
Though this was von der Leyen’s fourth visit to Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion nearly a year ago, it was the first where she was joined by a gaggle of EU commissioners, the officials tasked with overseeing the bloc’s major initiatives.
The gathering also took place on the eve of Friday’s high-stakes EU-Ukraine summit, where von der Leyen will be joined by European Council chief Charles Michel. It’s the first time an EU event of this kind will take place in an active war zone.
Beneath the ornate ceilings of the art nouveau building looking down on Maidan Square, itself a site infused with revolutionary history, Zelenskyy and von der Leyen presented a united front as they stood side by side in front of a row of Ukrainian and EU flags.
Zelenskyy’s message was unequivocal: Ukraine’s future lies with Europe. And as the Ukrainian leader made the case for Ukraine’s EU membership, he argued that Ukraine was not only defending itself.
“It is a motivation to defend our state, first of all, and consequently the entire Europe against the biggest anti-European force in the world,” he told the room of journalists. “It is really important for our people.”
Casting accession to the EU as “the next logical step” for EU-Ukraine relations, he said it was important “not only to have victories in the battlefield,” but also to believe in a peaceful Europe.
And he also injected a new sense of urgency into his plea, noting that Russia is now “concentrating forces and getting ready to take revenge, not only against Ukraine but also against free Europe.”
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