European leaders discuss opening of EU accession negotiating clusters with Zelenskyy in Cyprus
European leaders in Cyprus have discussed EU enlargement and military support with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Source: European Pravda, citing an EU official
Details: The leaders welcomed the recent decision to unblock a €90 billion loan for Ukraine and the approval of the 20th package of sanctions.
The official said that the next step will be EU enlargement as all conditions are now in place to open the first negotiating clusters in the coming weeks and months.
Several leaders also stressed the importance of stepping up bilateral efforts, particularly in terms of military assistance.
Leaders are also discussing the conflict in the Middle East and its wider impact, particularly regarding energy prices.
Background:
- European Council President António Costa welcomed the approval of the EU's €90 billion loan for Ukraine and the 20th Russia sanctions package and called for preparations for the next step to begin.
- Earlier, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed hope that the collapse of Viktor Orbán's regime in Hungary would give Ukraine a chance to accelerate its accession to the EU.
- In March, European Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos declared all the negotiating clusters "informally open" for Ukraine.
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