Kiev, May 9 (EFE) with the President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelensky, for the start of accession negotiations and to discuss the “strict” application of sanctions against Russia, among other issues.
“My presence in Kiev today, May 9, is symbolic, but it is also the sign of a crucial and very practical reality: the EU works hand in hand with Ukraine on many issues,” von der Leyen said on the train that took her. to Kiev.
This is the fifth visit that the head of the European Executive has made to Ukraine since the Russian invasion of February 24, 2022 and coincides with Europe Day; holiday of the European Union that from today the Ukrainian authorities will celebrate every May 9, thus turning their backs on the Soviet tradition of commemorating Victory Day against Nazism.
In his Twitter account, Von der Leyen stated that “it is good to be back in Kiev, where the values we hold dear are defended every day”, which is why he considered that it is “such an appropriate place to celebrate Europe Day”.
Among the issues that Von der Leyen plans to address with Zelenski and other Ukrainian authorities is “preparing the ground for the start of accession negotiations,” the head of the Community Executive highlighted to the European Editorial Office.
The European Commission must prepare a preliminary report in summer on the progress that Kiev is carrying out in the reforms that Brussels demands before being able to start accession negotiations, and, in December, a second, more complete analysis.
Sanctions, accountability, ammunition and financial aid
“We continue to increase the pressure on Russia. It is one of the points that I will report to President Zelensky on,” Von der Leyen added.
And he specified: “Now we focus on the strict application of sanctions and on taking measures to prevent them from being circumvented. We are determined to fill the existing gaps. Let no one doubt it, ”said the community leader about what would be the eleventh package of restrictive measures against Moscow since she attacked Kiev, still in the negotiation phase.
Other “key issues” that von der Leyen plans to address with the Ukrainian leadership range “from the delivery of ammunition and significant financial support, to ensuring Russia’s accountability for its crime of aggression,” she herself advanced.
The Twenty-seven have promised to give one million shells to Ukraine in the next 12 months, which the EU will co-finance with a total of 2,000 million euros.
Of these, 1,000 million will be used to finance shipments of weapons that the EU countries currently have in their reserves and the other 1,000 million will be to promote the joint purchase of missiles and ammunition to send to Ukraine.
Regarding financial support for Ukraine, the country told the European Union at the end of April that it will need at least 18,000 million euros in macro-financial aid in 2024, the same amount that the Twenty-seven will disburse this year, and called to begin the reconstruction of the country before the war ends.
The EU has yet to decide how to finance a future macro-financial aid package, a negotiation that will be one of the most relevant of the Spanish presidency of the EU in the second half of the year.
Regarding accountability, Zelensky demanded last week in The Hague the creation of a special court “to punish the crimes of Russian aggression” and specifically against President Vladimir Putin, after visiting the headquarters of the International Criminal Court ( ICC) in the Dutch capital.