Michel reaffirms from kyiv the European support for Ukraine: "There will be no truce in our firmness"

BRUSELAS, 3 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has indicated this Friday from kyiv, where the summit between the EU and Ukraine is being held, the European support for kyiv on all fronts, ensuring that "there will be no truce" in "firmness" against to Russian aggression.

Michel has arrived in the Ukrainian capital this Friday to preside over the summit with Ukraine, an appointment that is held for the first time in kyiv and that, in the middle of the war, seeks to send a signal of political support against the Kremlin.

In a message on social networks, the former Belgian Prime Minister has confirmed his presence in Ukraine, alluding to the meeting, which on the European side will include the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell.

"There will be no truce in our firmness. We are also going to support you at every step on your way to the EU," he indicated, in a nod to Ukraine's accession process.

This Friday's summit continues yesterday's meeting of fifteen members of the European Commission with the Ukrainian Executive to deal face to face with Ukraine's progress in accession. Within the framework of this forum, the Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelensky, set this year's deadline for the EU to open accession negotiations with Ukraine.

"What is the goal? I want to make it very clear: this year should be the time when there are no obstacles left for the start of negotiations on Ukraine's full accession to the EU," he assured von der Leyen.

For its part, Brussels offered to reinforce Ukraine's participation in European programs, in a move to facilitate its integration into the single market, pending the long road that its entry into the community club represents.

Through initiatives in the areas of trade and economy, customs, industrial products and telecommunications, together with the presence of Ukraine in tax, digital and research programs, the country is sought to integrate further into the European economy and facilitate its alignment with the community acquis.