Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky assured Thursday that Ukraine «deserves» to start negotiations on its accession to the European Union in 2023, assuring that further integration into Europe would give energy and motivation to the Ukrainian people.
«I believe that Ukraine deserves to start negotiations on accession to the European Union already this year,» the Ukrainian leader said, after holding a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday.
«I thank the President of the European Commission and her colleagues and our friends in the EU for their tangible support on the path of integration and protection of our state and people,» Zelensky emphasized in his evening speech, highlighting the military, financial, energy and social support offered by the EU-27.
However, the Ukrainian president warned about Russia’s efforts to increase pressure on the Donbas, where they are allegedly supplying the army.
In view of this situation, he has remarked that Ukraine will not leave «any aggressive action of the occupier without a response». «Tactically, they still have a resource for offensive attempts. They are looking for options to try to turn the tide of the war and are trying to use the potential of all the territories they still control in the service of aggression,» Zelenski said.
Therefore, he pointed out that the way forward for Ukraine is to strengthen its resilience and to be «absolutely united».
«We in Ukraine must speak with one voice to the world regarding defense supplies. And we also have to significantly increase global pressure on Russia every month,» he has reiterated.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
