European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv, Reuters reports.
Her visit comes ahead of a report the European Union is expected to present next week on Ukraine’s progress regarding its application for membership.
Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak announced in Telegram that Von der Leyen is expected to speak in the Ukrainian parliament.
An EU assessment on Wednesday is expected to provide details how far Ukraine has progressed in fulfilling various economic, legal and other criteriato clear the way for the start of accession negotiations in December.
Zelensky: Kyiv is working hard for EU membership
We value our Europe, a Europe of cooperation, not of confrontation, a Europe of people, not of ideologies, the president said
Ukraine applied to join the EU days after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 and considers joining the trading bloc its top priority.
At a summit in December, the EU’s 27 member states must decide whether to allow Kiev to begin accession talks, a move that requires the unanimous support of all members of the bloc.
Ukraine’s bid received a boost on Thursday when German Foreign Minister Analena Berbock expressed confidence that next month, the EU will move forward with Ukraine’s bid.
Ukraine will not accept second-class EU membership
Shmyhal: Ukraine has fulfilled all the criteria for accession
Membership negotiations usually take years and include broad legal, political and economic reform. The case of Ukraine, however, is much more complicated because of the war raging in the south and east with no end in sight.
Von der Leyen’s visit comes at a difficult time for Ukraine, whose troops struggle with exhaustion and anxiety over the future of key US military aid on which Kiev relies heavily.
It is likely that the head of the EC will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Tags: Ursula von der Leyen arrived Kyiv ahead key decision Ukraine
