Von der Leyen calls EU membership "strongest security guarantee" for Ukraine
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that fast-tracking Ukraine's accession to the European Union could serve as the strongest security guarantee for the country once peace is achieved.
Source: European Pravda
Details: Speaking at a European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg on EU support for a just, sustainable, and comprehensive peace in Ukraine, von der Leyen noted that Ukraine's accession to the European Union would be the greatest guarantee of a just and lasting peace.
Quote: "We must accelerate Ukraine’s path towards membership of our Union. This is not just Ukraine’s aspiration. It can be the strongest security guarantee. And it was a central focus of my latest meeting with President Zelenskyy in Rome.
The war in Ukraine will eventually come to a halt. And the way the war ends will shape our continent for generations to come."
Details: Von der Leyen noted that "a bad deal could encourage Putin to come back for more. It would be a recipe for more instability and insecurity".
"Instead, a just and lasting peace could usher in a new era of prosperity for Ukraine and help us build a new security architecture for Europe," she stressed.
Therefore, von der Leyen outlined three priorities for the EU on the path to a just peace for Ukraine: "First, support Ukraine’s defence. Second, complete the phase out of Russian fossil fuels. And third, accelerate Ukraine’s accession path to our Union."
Background:
- On 26 April, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and von der Leyen met in Rome after the funeral ceremony for Pope Francis to discuss the establishment of sustainable peace in Ukraine.
- Earlier, it was reported that the Trump administration handed over a one-page document to Ukraine in Paris, presented as a "final proposal" for a peace settlement. Among other things, the US is prepared to recognise Russia's control over Ukrainian Crimea and ease sanctions against Moscow.
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