Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, on Thursday pleaded in favour of starting EU accession talks with Kiev in a video address to European Union leaders gathered in Brussels.
“Today is a day for a political decision in response to what we’ve accomplished. It’s about opening accession negotiations with Ukraine,’’ Zelensky said.
“Europe deserves to be strong. Europe’s strength is in unity and resolve,’’ he added.
“It’s very important that Europe doesn’t fall back into indecision today. Nobody wants Europe to be seen as untrustworthy,’’ Zelensky warned.
“People in Europe won’t see any benefit if Moscow receives a pass from Brussels in the form of negativity towards Ukraine. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will surely use this against you personally, and against all of Europe,’’ he added.
EU leaders gathered in Brussels are required to decide unanimously on accession talks, but Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán has repeatedly threatened to veto a decision in favour of Ukraine. (dpa/NAN)