In a letter to EU leaders responding to statements by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that it would be unfair if Ukraine were present in the European Union but remained without a voice. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.
Details
As the publication writes, in Zelenskyy's letter addressed to European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, who holds the EU Council presidency, the Ukrainian president stated that the removal of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — a staunch opponent of Ukraine's EU membership — following last month's elections has created an opportunity for significant progress in accession negotiations.
"It would be unfair if Ukraine were present in the European Union but remained voiceless,"
Zelenskyy said in the letter.
Zelenskyy thanked European leaders for their support during the war and said that Ukraine stands as a bulwark against Russian aggression for the entire 27-nation bloc.
"We are defending Europe — fully, not partially and not with half-measures. Ukraine deserves a fair approach and equal rights in Europe,"
Zelenskyy added.
Recall
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed granting Ukraine a direct role in European Union structures as an interim step toward EU membership, which he said could help facilitate a deal to end the war caused by Russia's invasion.
