President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has said that Ukraine will soon join the European Union. She said this during a speech in the European Parliament, reports
“The contrast with what happened 10 years ago could not be more obvious. Back then, the pro-Russian authoritarian regime was passing authoritarian laws and killing protesters in the streets. Today, Ukraine is implementing legislation that expands the rights of national minorities, improves the judicial system, and improves the system of checks and balances. And this has led us to the accession negotiations. And this progress is not just because Europe wants it. It is a deep desire of the people of Ukraine. Ukraine is Europe because Europe is in the hearts and minds of Ukrainians. And soon enough, Ukraine will be a member of our Union,”
– said the President of the European Commission.
She added that the European Union is already beginning to consider the Ukrainian defence sector as part of the defence system of a united Europe.
“Ukraine is a future EU member. Therefore, it must become closer to us in the defence sector. We have to consider Ukrainian defence capabilities as part of our defence capabilities. We have to see the Ukrainian defence industry as part of our defence industry. That is why we have engaged Ukraine in the preparation of our own defence strategy. This is the first step, which, with the approval of the European Parliament and the European Council, will start the integration of Ukraine into our defence programmes,”
– said von der Leyen.
50 billion euros for Ukraine from the EU
On 5 February, the EU Council and the European Parliament reached a preliminary agreement on the creation of a new instrument to support Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and modernisation – the Ukraine Facility.
The document is expected to be approved at the European Parliament’s plenary session scheduled for 26-29 February 2024.
According to von der Leyen, the first tranche is expected to be disbursed to Ukraine in March this year.