The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, stating that it is the main guarantee of security for the country. She noted that the issues of supporting Ukraine, ensuring its security, and reconstruction have become subjects of discussion with European leaders.
This is reported by Kyiv24
“Today, there was a fruitful discussion with European leaders regarding our support for Ukraine, its security, and reconstruction. Ultimately, the prosperity of a free Ukrainian state lies in its accession to the EU. This is also a key guarantee of security. This is also a key guarantee of security,” she wrote on social media platform X.
Benefits for Europe and Prospects for Ukraine
Ursula von der Leyen highlighted that EU enlargement is beneficial not only for new member states but also for all of Europe. According to her, previous waves of enlargement have shown that the entire continent benefits from it. Ukraine’s accession to the EU is viewed as a mutually beneficial process that will strengthen the European community as a whole.
Ukraine’s Accession to the EU in the Context of the Peace Plan
Last week, the President of Ukraine presented a 20-point plan developed during negotiations between Kyiv and Washington. This document is defined as the “foundational document for ending the war.” One of the points of this plan clearly outlines the prospect of Ukraine’s EU membership within a specific timeframe, as well as granting Ukraine short-term privileged access to the European market.
Earlier, media reports indicated that expedited accession of Ukraine to the EU could become part of the peace plan being discussed by Kyiv, Brussels, and Washington. The latest draft of the peace proposal for Ukraine, currently under consideration by representatives of the U.S. and Ukraine with the support of Brussels, mentions a possible accession to the EU by January 1, 2027.
At the same time, Ukraine has not yet officially completed any of the 36 stages of the EU accession process. Implementing an accelerated timeline could significantly alter the current EU enlargement strategy, likely requiring a reevaluation of approaches to accepting new members, as well as granting access to EU funds, voting rights, and participation in common policies, including agricultural policy.