(AFP) – EU leader Ursula von der Leyen visited Ukraine on Saturday to discuss hopes of joining the bloc where President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the world to turn to the conflict devastating his country.
Von der Leyen’s second visit since the February 24 invasion of Russia took place amid intense fighting in eastern and southern Ukraine.
“Together with President Zelensky, I will review the joint work needed to rebuild and the progress Ukraine has made on the European path,” he said on Twitter upon his arrival in Kiev.
Ukraine is pushing for European Union membership soon, but officials and bloc leaders warn that membership could take years or even decades.
Von der Leyen told reporters that the discussions will “contribute to our assessment” of Ukraine’s readiness to be accepted as a candidate country to start lengthy negotiations, including reforms.
Ahead of the EU leaders’ summit, which is likely to address the issue on 23-24 June, Zelenskiy wondered why some member states were still hesitating.
“The European system may perish if words are not accompanied by actions,” he said Friday at the 2022 Copenhagen Democracy Summit.
He then urged the world not to forget what happened in Ukraine after more than three months of war that left thousands dead and millions of Ukrainians flying.
He said Ukraine should not “let the world divert attention from what is happening on the battlefield”.
Kyiv is losing 100 people a day, defense minister described the situation as “very difficult” https://t.co/IzYzc9t7zz
– Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) 10 June 2022
Zelensky reported “very heavy fighting”, particularly around the eastern industrial city of Severodonetsk, including in eastern Donbas, where Moscow is focusing its firepower.
A Ukrainian soldier in the village of Soledar, southwest of Severodonetsk, described Sergei as an optimist.
“The enemy is very brave, trying to destroy our defense in small groups,” he told AFP from an area where a Ukrainian tank was hiding near trees.
“But of course they failed because our infantry units on the front were good at spotting their advance from their observation positions. Of course we are pushing them away.”
“The truth is on our side, we protect our land,” he added.
New flag dropped: European capital brings Ukrainian pride to the pridehttps: //t.co/MUUnIVWs5T
– Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) June 2, 2022
Source: Breitbart
