The European Union’s executive will likely be ready next week to present its opinion on Ukraine’s request to join the 27-member bloc, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a visit to Kyiv.
Speaking at a June 11 news conference with the Ukrainian leader, Von der Leyen said her discussions with Zelenskiy "will enable us to finalize our assessment by the end of next week" regarding Ukraine’s potential bid as a candidate for EU membership, although she cautioned that Kyiv must press forward on governmental reforms.
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The rendering of the EU executive’s opinion on the matter would be only the first step in a long process potentially leading to Ukraine’s membership in the bloc.
Citing unnamed sources, Bloomberg reported on June 10 that the European Commission is expected to back EU candidate status for Ukraine despite objections from Denmark and the Netherlands.
The news agency said that --according to people familiar with the matter -- the recommendation, which needs to be debated and adopted by the college of EU commissioners, would come with conditions linked to the rule of law and anti-corruption legislation.
The European Commission's approval would need the agreement of member states, which Bloomberg said could be an issue with Denmark, which has written a diplomatic note warning that Ukraine does not sufficiently fulfill criteria related to the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, as well as respect for and the protection of minorities.
The Netherlands has also voiced objections, the agency reported.
Zelenskiy has called on the EU to offer his nation membership in the bloc through a shortened procedure, saying it would be a “powerful response” to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of his country.
In her second visit to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began on February 24. Von der Leyen said she told the Ukrainian leader that much still needed to be done by the authorities in Kyiv to secure a path to membership.
"You have done a lot in strengthening the rule of law, but there is still a need for reforms to be implemented, to fight corruption, for example," she told the news briefing.
Zelenskiy said that "all of Europe is a target for Russia, and Ukraine is just the first stage in this aggression."
"This is why a positive EU response to the Ukrainian application for membership can be a positive answer to the question of whether the European project has a future at all."
He added that the Ukrainian people "have already made a huge contribution to the defense of common freedom."
The bloc’s leaders are set to discuss the matter in Brussels on June 23-24.