Brussels – An important day for Ukraine’s future. Today (June 27), at the European Council, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed new security agreements between the European Union and Ukraine. Today was also an opportunity to reiterate Kyiv’s future within the EU and the urgency of ending Russia’s war of aggression.
A key signature that will commit the EU to support Ukraine even in the case of governments wary of Kyiv. In addition to the agreement with the EU, Zelensky signed cooperation pacts with Estonia and Lithuania. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, accompanied the Ukrainian president when arriving at Europa Palace, stating, “Today’s date marks a historic day in which we will provide more support to Kyiv both financially and militarily.” Michel expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, stressing that “also through the G7 we will provide €50 billion,” adding, “Ukraine is struggling to defend its future but also our peace.”
Satisfaction with the outcome also emerges in Zelensky’s words, “This is a historic agreement that we have been waiting for so long.” The Ukrainian president also wanted to revamp the European perspective for his country. Satisfaction with the start of EU accession negotiations leaves room for goals to be completed because “EU membership is very important for us, but now we have to work on the next steps to finish the path.” Zelensky understands that the start of accession negotiations is a crucial first milestone in securing Ukraine’s future within the European family, but by the same token, the demands of Brussels to welcome Kyiv into the Union can be complicated to achieve and time-consuming.
Volodymyr Zelensky also answered journalists’ questions on the status of the conflict with Russia, again stressing the urgency of ending it. “We have many wounded and dead both on the battlefield and among civilians, we do not want the war to last for years,” the Ukrainian president said in a broken voice. Ukraine wants to continue on the path of peace, and after the first summit in Switzerland, Zelensky revived the idea of a second meeting that would set up a table leading to an end to the conflict. “Russia’s only idea is to continue the war, but now even sceptical countries realize the importance of stopping it,” said President Zelensky, closing his speech by saying that he is working hard for peace.
English version by the Translation Service of WithubIn the past few days, Ukraine has started actual negotiations on EU membership. Today, I am in Brussels to attend a meeting of the European Council and to thank all European leaders for their unity and for affirming the irreversibility of our European course.
I will meet with…
– Volodymyr Zelenskyy (@ZelenskyyUa) June 27, 2024
