Ursula Von der Leyen visits Kiev to discuss EU enlargement

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, arrived in Kiev (Ukraine) on Saturday 4 November to discuss the enlargement of the European Union with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, she announced on the social network X (ex-Twitter). “I am here to discuss Ukraine’s path to EU membership”she said upon her arrival at kyiv station where she was welcomed by Volodymyr Zelensky.

In June 2022, the EU granted candidate status to Ukraine, in a highly symbolic gesture, a few months after the start of the Russian invasion, as well as to Moldova. To move on to the next stage, the opening of accession negotiations, the Commission has defined seven reference criteria for kyiv. These are conditions to be met, particularly in terms of the fight against widespread corruption and judicial reforms.

Questions about EU “military support”

The Commission must deliver its report on the state of progress made by Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia on November 8, and decide whether or not to open accession negotiations, before the Twenty-Seven meet. take up the issue at a summit in Brussels in mid-December. During this sixth visit by Ursula von der Leyen to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, the leader also intends to address “military support” Europeans, as well as “the twelfth package of sanctions” of the EU against Russia being prepared, she told journalists.