More than a dozen top EU officials travelled to Kyiv on a two-day visit this week, with pledges of more military, financial and political aid to Ukraine, news outlets reported.
On Friday, an EU-Ukraine Summit was held in the Ukrainian capital with the participation of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council head Charles Michel, Ukraine's state news agency Ukrinform reported.
At a joint news conference after the summit, the EU's von der Leyen praised Kyiv's reform efforts for "the precision, quality and speed at which you deliver," the Reuters news agency reported.
Von der Leyen described Ukraine's efforts as "phenomenal" despite the war raging in the country's east and south.
She also said that Ukraine was "a true inspiration for Europe" and pledged to support the country's "fast recovery and reconstruction."
"And we will make Russia pay for the brutal destruction it is causing," von der Leyen vowed.
She announced that the EU's nine packages of sanctions against Russia so far were "biting" and a 10th one was "on its way."
"With our partners, we must deny Russia the means to kill Ukrainian civilians and destroy homes and offices," von der Leyen said, adding that the planned new measures "will hit the trade and technology that supports Russia’s war machine."
Ukraine's Zelensky told reporters after the summit that "two European integration days in Kyiv yielded powerful results," according to Ukrinform.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO
He said that these results included "a positive assessment of Ukraine's implementation" of "seven recommendations," the "approval of an action plan for further integration of the Ukrainian economy’s sectors into the EU common market," and a "decision to allocate EUR 1 billion for projects within the Fast Recovery Plan."
He also welcomed "additional funding for the defense of our state, the decision to speed up the preparations of a tenth package of sanctions of the EU against the aggressor," and "the decision to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU as soon as possible," Ukrinform reported.
'Your future is with us, your destiny is our destiny'
Meanwhile, European Council President Charles Michel, chairman of the 27 EU national leaders, said that the Ukrainian people "have made a clear choice for freedom, democracy, and rule of law."
He added: "And we in the EU have also made a clear decision. Your future is with us. Your destiny is our destiny."
He declared that the EU would support Ukraine "in every way we can" and "for as long as it takes."
Michel also said on Friday that the main goal of the EU-Ukraine summit was to send a message to Ukraine and its people "about unity, as well as about Ukraine's future in the EU," Ukrinform reported.
"You can count on us," Michel said, addressing Ukrainians. "We will support your efforts."
Zelensky thanked the EU officials for coming to Kyiv despite a full-scale Russian invasion, Ukrinform reported.
The EU-Ukraine summit was the first on Ukrainian soil since the Russian invasion started on February 24, 2022. It focused on improving access for Ukrainian products to the EU market, helping Ukraine meet its energy needs after weeks of Russian air strikes, new sanctions on Moscow and prosecuting Russian leaders for the war, according to Reuters.
Zelensky had hoped the EU would put Ukraine on a fast track to membership, but the EU set "no rigid timelines" for its accession to the bloc, Reuters reported.
Zelensky said earlier this week that Ukraine was preparing a package of new social, legal and political reforms.
In June last year, EU leaders formally approved Ukraine as a candidate to join the 27-nation bloc, in a move hailed by many as historic.
Zelensky said at the time that the EU's decision was "a unique and historical moment." He added that "Ukraine's future is within the EU."
Friday was day 345 of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
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Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters, ukrinform.net/ukrinform.net