(Kyiv) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday in Kyiv he wanted a “result” at the European summit in December, which should judge whether or not Ukraine is ready to open accession negotiations with the EU.
At the next European summit “in December, we expect a result, a political decision to start negotiations” on accession, declared Mr. Zelensky during a press conference alongside the President of the European Council Charles Michel and of Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
“I will do everything in my power to convince my colleagues that we need a decision in December,” replied Mr. Michel, who did not hide, however, that this next summit would be “difficult”.
The European Commission ruled at the beginning of November that Ukraine could now begin accession negotiations with the EU; the decision rests with the 27 who must discuss it at their summit in mid-December.
Mr. Zelensky indicated on this subject that he had asked the 27 to be “concrete and precise” and to measure all the progress already made by his country on the road to accession to the EU.
The European Commission judged that more than 90% of the work had already been done. The EU has demanded certain reforms from Ukraine, notably concerning the rule of law, the fight against corruption and the power of the oligarchs.
“We have done everything we can, and the rest will also be done,” said Mr. Zelensky, stressing that Parliament had voted on the same day for reforms in line with the EU’s demands and that his country would fulfill the “conditions” that were set.
The 27 will have to evaluate the request of a “country at war”, he also underlined, adding that a positive response from the Europeans would help the Ukrainians to believe that “justice exists”.
The European Union has “a moral duty” and it is its “strategic responsibility” to provide a positive response to Ukraine, replied Mr. Michel.
Some European countries are, however, more cautious towards this large agricultural country of 40 million inhabitants, and fear the destabilization that its accession could cause.
By accepting Ukraine and Moldova, which also received the green light from the Commission at the same time as Kyiv, the EU is making a “strategic investment for peace,” Mr. Michel said.