The president of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, has conveyed this Thursday to the heads of state and government of the European Union that Kyiv is ready to start the formal process of joining the community bloc and has called on the Twenty-seven for the incorporation to materialize "as soon as possible".
In brief statements to the press upon his arrival at the informal summit being held in Ayia Napa, in eastern Cyprus, Zelenski has stressed that Ukrainian citizens have already made the decision to integrate into the EU, although he has admitted that this step does not depend solely on them.
After holding a meeting with the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, the Ukrainian leader has once again expressed his gratitude for European support during the war, after the 27 managed to unblock the European loan of 90 billion euros in support of Kyiv, overcoming Hungary's veto.
In his opinion, Ukraine has acquired "unique" experience that can serve to strengthen the European project and, therefore, he considers that the country is in a position to officially open the accession process. "And I believe that the EU is also ready to support us," he added.
Zelensky's words come after Costa and several European leaders raised this same Thursday that "the next step" in the EU's support for Ukraine must be the formal start of accession negotiations, with the opening of the first chapters of reforms.
The Ukrainian president has also reiterated his gratitude for the unblocking of European funds, underlining that for Ukraine it is a "very important" decision and highlighting the "unanimity" that made the agreement possible.
According to what has been explained, these 90 billion euros will be allocated to reinforce the capabilities of its army, boost national production of drones and electronic systems, and at the same time to modernize and stabilize the Ukrainian energy system, severely damaged after the Russian attacks recorded during this winter.