Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged European Union leaders to open membership talks with his country.
In an address via video link at the EU summit, which coomenced on Thursday, December 14, 2023, highlighted the meeting’s significance and what lies at stake as his country seek EU accession.
The European Commission has advised the 27 leaders that Ukraine is making good progress towards enacting the necessary political and judicial reforms to meet EU standards.
“Today is a special day and this day will go down in our history, ” Zelenskyy said.
“Whether it’s good or bad for us, history will capture everything. Every word, every step, every action and inaction. Who fought for what,” he added.
“It’s very important that Europe doesn’t fall back into indecision today. Nobody wants Europe to be seen as untrustworthy. Or as unable to take decisions it prepared itself.
“People in Europe won’t understand if Putin’s satisfied smile becomes the reward for a meeting in Brussels.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Also, Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine had met EU conditions on reforms to be granted membership talks.
He said, “We’re talking about a decision that was promised. And I haven’t heard any counter-argument as to why we shouldn’t implement the plan agreed upon by all of Europe.”
Zelenskyy added that last year, his country received clear recommendations on how to move forward, adding, “We have passed the key laws. You all – and I emphasize: all – know well that we fulfilled every obligation.”
Moreover, the Ukrainian President made a plea to the bloc, asking it to honour its promises.
“I ask you one thing today – do not betray the people and their faith in Europe,” he pleaded.
“If no one believes in Europe, what will keep the European Union alive?,” he asked.
”People in Europe won’t see any benefit if Moscow receives a pass from Brussels in the form of negativity towards Ukraine.
“Putin will surely use this against you personally, and against all of Europe. Don’t give him this first – and only – victory of the year. Europe must win, agreements must be honoured, and words must matter.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Most EU leaders want this week’s summit to approve the start of formal membership talks, in a sign of solidarity with Ukraine almost 22 months after Russia launched an all-out invasion.
They also want to approve a €50bn ($54bn) four-year financial aid package for Kyiv.
Among the leaders of the EU’s 27 member countries, only Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban has spoken out against giving Ukraine the approval for membership talks, as the country continues to fight Russia’s invasion.
As such decisions require unanimity, the EU will not be able to give Ukraine the go-ahead without Orban’s approval.
Orban Says Ukraine Accession Should Not Be Discussed
Prior to Zelenskyy’s address, Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, told reporters that Ukraine did not yet meet the “merit-based” criteria to join the EU and that the issue should not even be discussed.
“There is no reason to discuss anything because preconditions were not met,” Orbán said, citing the European Commission’s advice to leaders on Ukraine’s reform progress.
“We’re not going to move away from this,” he warned.
He said that any aid for Ukraine would have to be enacted outside the EU budget and secondly, he would not allow membership talks to begin.
“Enlargement is a merit-based, legally detailed process which has preconditions,” he said.
He emphasized, “We have set up seven preconditions and even by the evaluation of the commission, three out of the seven are not fulfilled. So there is no reason to negotiate membership of Ukraine now.”
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