Zelensky assures that Ukraine "deserves" to start negotiations on its accession to the EU in 2023

MADRID, 3 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky assured this Thursday that Ukraine "deserves" to start negotiations on its accession to the European Union in 2023, ensuring that greater integration in Europe would give energy and motivation to the Ukrainian people.

"I think that Ukraine deserves to start negotiations on joining the European Union already this year," said the Ukrainian president, after having held a meeting with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Thursday.

"I thank the President of the European Commission and her colleagues and our friends in the EU for their tangible support on the path of integration and in the protection of our state and people", Zelensky emphasized in his evening speech, highlighting the support military, financial, energetic and social offered by the Twenty-seven.

However, the Ukrainian president has warned about Russia's efforts to increase pressure on Donbas, where they would be supplying the Army.

Faced with this situation, he stressed that Ukraine will not leave "any aggressive action by the occupier unanswered." "Tactically, they still have a resource for offensive attempts. They are looking for options to try to turn the tide of the war and they are trying to use the potential of all the territories they still control in the service of aggression," Zelensky said.

For this reason, he has indicated that the path for Ukraine is to strengthen its resilience and to be "absolutely united".

"We in Ukraine must speak with one voice to the world regarding defense supplies. And we also have to significantly increase global pressure on Russia every month," he stressed.