Ukraine can develop maximum speed to join EU – President Zelensky

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his video address, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Today European Council President Charles Michel has paid a visit to Kyiv. According to Zelensky, every such visit underscores the futility of Russia’s plans to seize Ukraine.

“Three days? Five days? How many days did the occupiers plan to spend to gain control over Ukraine? 56 days, and we meet our guests in our capital city for the sake of our national interests,” the President of Ukraine stressed.

Zelensky and Michel held thorough talks about many aspects in the EU-Ukraine relations. In particular, the parties discussed Ukraine’s defense and support for the stable performance of all public structures and institutions.

According to Zelensky, they also discussed the EU’s specific steps to provide assistance to Ukraine in terms of sanctions, military and financial support.

“The second major subject of talks was our progress in European integration. Now it is a fateful moment, when we can develop maximum speed to join the EU. We have already proved that our public and social institutions are effective enough to stand the test of war. We are already doing as much to protect freedom in Europe as other nations have hardly ever had a chance to do. I see that all our friends in the EU are willing to help us progress as much as possible,” Zelensky noted.

In his words, the third major subject of talks was Ukraine’s post-war rebuilding. The parties also discussed what steps could be taken to mitigate the food and energy security threats to Europe and the world, which were posed by the Russian Federation.

“To resume Ukraine’s agricultural exports and block Russia’s ability to blackmail Europe with energy resources. The top priorities are the same for everyone on the continent,” the President of Ukraine added.

A reminder that, on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops are shelling and destroying the key infrastructure facilities, launching missile and air strikes on Ukrainian cities and villages, torturing and murdering civilians.

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