Ukraine sees Western Balkans' support on EU path - Zelensky

Within the framework of a special summit with the leaders of the Western Balkans, Ukraine received a clear signal of support for obtaining the status of a candidate for EU membership.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated this in a video address to the nation, Ukrinform reports.

"Ukraine has received a significant decision on support for the status of a candidate for EU membership for us – these three countries have made such a joint statement.

In fact, today we are as close to this status as we could have dreamt of even a few years ago. Ukraine has done everything possible to get candidateship," Zelensky stressed.

The president also noted that in response to the active joint work of Ukraine and the EU, the Russian Federation is undertaking new aggressive steps.

"Of course, it would be strange if the Russian government simply observed our foreign policy successes. Gas pressure on Europe is growing again. Shelling of Ukrainian positions and peaceful cities is intensifying again. Today they hit Mykolaiv, today they hot communities of Dnipropetrovsk region, today they hit Kharkiv region… Russian propagandists have become more proactive in spinning fake reports to sow despair among Ukrainians," Zelensky said, adding that none of these fakes would work.

As Ukrinform reported, the Prime Ministers of the Republic of Albania, Edi Rama, and Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazovic were on a working visit to Kyiv on June 15. They met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski joined the meeting via video link.