Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is on all fronts. Literally as well as figuratively. The former comedian, who calls for the integration of Ukraine into the EU “without delay”, will speak this Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. French time, before the European Parliament. This intervention will take place by videoconference, specifies the President of the Parliament Roberta Metsola.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the head of diplomacy of the European Union Josep Borrell, will also intervene during this extraordinary session devoted to the war in Ukraine.
Membership prospect
The EU has taken several sets of unprecedented sanctions against Russia targeting in particular its officials, including President Vladimir Putin and the country’s financial and economic sectors. MEPs must vote on a resolution supporting the prospect of Kiev joining the EU, a text without binding force. A possible decision to join is up to the 27 Member States unanimously.
“We will support today in the European Parliament the transition of #Ukraine to the status of candidate for membership of the European Union. Not to be confused with asking for immediate membership which is not possible,” tweeted MEP Pascal Canfin from the Renew group (liberals).
“Different Opinions”
“We will give a strong signal of support for #Ukraine during this historic session,” wrote the chairman of the right-wing EPP group, Manfred Weber. Following the Russian invasion, the European Commission paved the way for Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
However, this is not for tomorrow because of the long and difficult negotiations that must be conducted to allow integration, once the application has been accepted. Among the Twenty-Seven, “there are different opinions and sensitivities within the EU” on such an enlargement, warned Charles Michel on Monday.