European Commission President von der Leyen said on Wednesday that she had discussed Ukraine's EU accession process with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "The next few weeks will be an important period to advance the alliance process and take decisive steps," she posted on the social media platform.
German Chancellor Mertz proposed earlier this month that Ukraine could be allowed to join the EU as an "associate member", allowing it to participate in EU meetings and institutions (but without voting rights), as a transitional arrangement towards full membership. However, Zelensky called the proposal unfair.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine had advanced the reforms needed to join the EU and that with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a staunch opponent of Ukraine's EU membership, defeated in the election, negotiations were expected to make substantial progress.
Von der Leyen added that Europe will continue to support Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
"Air defense, drone and counter-drone capabilities are Europe's most urgent defense priorities. Ukraine will be fully integrated into these efforts," she said.
