Brussels/Kyiv, Europe Brief News – Even after Ursula von der Leyen said that she wanted Ukraine to become a part of the EU, there is still a huge amount of uncertainty around whether or how quickly Ukraine can join the Bloc.
Charles Michel, President of the European Council said “Membership is a long-standing request from Ukraine but there are different opinions within the EU on enlargement”.
He further added, “Ukraine will submit an official request, the European Commission will have to express an official opinion and the council will decide”.
Michel suggested that he is aware of the fact that Ukraine will submit an official application for membership and he has explained to them the steps that need to be followed.
He expressed his intentions to invite Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky to join the summit of European leaders on a regular basis. Moreover, he highlighted the point that Ukraine needs to find a way to strengthen the social agreement decided between Ukraine and the EU.
Ven Der Leyen said on Sunday “We have a process with Ukraine that is, for example integrating the Ukrainian market into the single market.
She further added that we work together with Ukraine on so many projects and indeed over time they belong to us. They are just like one of us and we desperately want them in.
Zelensky Called For Immediate EU membership
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky whose country is under the unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Russia is pleading with the European Union to grant its country a place as a member.
He requested the European Union council to allow Ukraine immediate entry in the bloc but bloc officials said that it is unlikely to happen. Zelensky said “ Ukraine is in need of immediate accession via a new special procedure”.
He further added in a speech on social media “ Our goal is to be with all Europeans and most importantly to be equal. I am sure that’s fair. I am sure we deserve it”
In response, the bloc claimed that it is highly unlikely that the European council would be able to play such a move for a number of reasons. Infact, no such fast-track procedure exists to make a country part of EU.
Potential members usually take years to get their way in the EU through a long and complicated process of reaching EU standards.
