News from the EU-Ukraine Summit “Under the Sirens” in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Last Minute EUROPE, France, Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Greece headlines and events

In Kyiv, under the shadow of “anti-tank sirens”, an unprecedented historic summit with representatives of the European Union is taking place.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President Charles Michel and members of the EU Commission met today in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, with President Volodymyr Zelensky and government officials at the 24th EU-Ukraine Summit.

Following yesterday’s discussion of war and support for Ukraine with the Ukrainian government, the EU administration met today in Kyiv to discuss Ukraine’s EU membership at the 24th EU-Ukraine Summit.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President Charles Michel, head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell and about 15 European Commissioners met to discuss the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine.

Top in the shadow of anti-aircraft sirens

As the war continues, the EU administration’s meeting in Kyiv aims to send a “EU stands firmly behind Ukraine” signal to all the world’s capitals, especially Moscow.

During the summit, which was held in Kyiv at the risk of life, anti-aircraft sirens were heard throughout the city. Later, the spread of sirens across the country caused a momentary fear.

Before the meeting, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shimigal said: “The fact that this summit is taking place in Kyiv is a strong signal sent to both our partners and our enemies.” and “supports its rapid progress towards EU membership”. “This is extremely important,” he said.

Zelensky pushes for accession talks

President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose application for EU candidate status was approved in June 2022 due to the war with “extraordinary procedure and unprecedented speed”, said his country “deserves to start EU accession negotiations as early as 2023 “. that is this year. He thought he knew. Saying that such a move would further increase international pressure on Russia, Zelenskiy said: “Such a decision would be a source of inspiration for the Ukrainian people.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is the most vocal advocate for Ukraine’s accession to the EU during the war that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In Europe, many capitals oppose the “quick entry idea”, because Ukraine is far from European standards, and its accession will change the face of union building.

However, von der Leyen is in favor of speeding up the process of joining Kyiv on every platform.

Von der Leyen, who has been to Kyiv four times since the start of the war, said yesterday at a joint press conference with President Zelensky: “The future of our continent is being written here in Ukraine,” and said that history has brought Ukraine closer to the European family. European Council President Charles Michel, who arrived in Kyiv to attend Friday’s summit, also pledged to “support Ukraine’s EU membership.”

shadow of corruption

The summit will discuss steps to join the EU, a difficult process that Kyiv plans to speed up. However, while the war was going on, a major corruption scandal involving the Ukrainian military weakened the hand of President Zelensky. Just 2 days before the summit, the police raided the homes of government members and officials whose names were implicated in the scandal, stepped up searches and arrests.

When the issue was raised at a joint press conference, von der Leyen said: “I trust Zelensky and his government to fight corruption. It is encouraging that he took action against this corruption very quickly,” although he tried to remove the question marks, hesitation continues in European capitals on this issue.

In the Corruption Perceptions Index prepared by the anti-corruption organization Transparency International in 2021, Ukraine ranks 122nd out of 180 countries.

Zelensky fears “Balkan-type” scenario

Ukrainians hope to speed up the process of joining the European Union, but at this stage, another 27 countries are in favor of the “privileged partnership” formula.

However, the Kyiv administration fears that they will be treated the same way as Balkan countries like Montenegro or Albania, which have been stuck in the waiting room of the European Union for 10 years.

Zelenskiy, whose hopes have risen after he achieved “candidate country status” in record time, is pushing to start membership talks as soon as possible with military terms rather than waiting like the Balkan countries.

However, Europe is divided on this issue. Poland, Slovakia or the Baltics want accelerated integration, while countries like the Netherlands, France or Germany want the accession process to go “without skipping milestones”.

Despite strong pressure from Ukraine, for now, the EU wants Kyiv to implement reforms in areas such as justice, the fight against corruption and media freedom.

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