European Commission Affirms Ukraine's Progress Toward EU Membership

Call Between Ursula von der Leyen and Volodymyr Zelenskyy

According to Главком: On March 3, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The discussion covered critical issues, including the EU's stalled decision on a €90 billion loan for Ukraine and the 20th sanctions package against Russia. The European Commission confirmed that Ukraine is prepared to advance to the next stage of its EU accession process. This assessment comes as Ukraine continues its defense against Russia's full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.

Shared Priorities and Challenges

The conversation focused on shared priorities, notably finalizing approval for the Ukraine Support Loan and the 20th sanctions package. Ursula von der Leyen stated:

'Our focus is on our shared priorities: to finalize the Ukraine Support Loan and the 20th sanctions package. We also discussed the broader impact of events in the Middle East on energy prices, energy security, and the availability of essential defense materials.' Ursula von der Leyen

European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert confirmed that a bilateral analysis (screening) was completed in record time across all negotiation clusters, with six clusters deemed ready to open based on the results. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also emphasized the importance of cooperation with the EU, saying:

'I spoke with Ursula von der Leyen about the situation concerning Iran and all the challenges. Also about our bilateral matters with the European Union. Ukraine is fulfilling its obligations, and we expect the same fair and sincere attitude toward Ukraine-toward the interests of our people.' Volodymyr Zelenskyy

It is important to note that the decision to move to the next phase must be approved by EU member states. Hungary has blocked the decision on the 20th sanctions package and the loan for Ukraine. The 20th sanctions package was initially planned for approval before the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. The accession process requires unanimous agreement from all 27 EU members, making such blockades a significant hurdle.

This discussion marks a significant step in Ukraine-EU relations, highlighting joint efforts to address economic and political challenges. Continued dialogue between Ukraine and the EU, along with the resolution of blockades by individual member states like Hungary, could substantially influence the pace of integration and the support for Ukraine during its war with Russia.