Ukraine needs reforms – EU — RT Russia & Former Soviet Union

Kiev has superior on its “European path” however should do extra, European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Saturday throughout a shock go to to Ukraine.

Ukraine submitted its official utility for EU membership on February 28, 4 days after Russia started its army operation within the nation. EU leaders are anticipated to difficulty a proper opinion throughout the bloc’s summit on June 23-24 about whether or not to grant Kiev candidate standing. The unanimous help of all 27 member nations is required for this.

Talking at a press convention with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid the continuing Russian army offensive, von der Leyen stated the EU is working “day and evening” on its evaluation of the appliance and plans to finalize it by the tip of subsequent week.

“You may have achieved so much in strengthening the rule of legislation however there nonetheless have to be reforms applied. To combat corruption, for instance, or to modernize this well-functioning administration, to assist entice traders,” she stated.

Noting that the conflict with Russia is the highest precedence for Ukraine and its supporters proper now, von der Leyen stated that Kiev and the West additionally should plan out “what must be achieved subsequent” when it comes to reforms.

“After all, Ukraine was already on a great monitor earlier than the horrible and atrocious invasion of Russia,” she stated, hailing the “huge efforts and willpower” of Ukraine in its bid to affix the bloc.

Von der Leyen added that Ukraine has a “strong” political system, “strong and well-anchored establishments,” and “functioning administration on all ranges.” She didn’t, nevertheless, deal with the crackdown on opposition events and media launched by Zelensky even earlier than Moscow started the army operation, however which was intensified afterwards.

Zelensky claimed that Ukraine is “solely the primary stage,” and that Moscow finally “needs to destroy European unity.”

“That’s the reason the European Union’s optimistic response to Ukraine’s utility for membership could be a optimistic response to the query of whether or not the European undertaking has a future in any respect,” he stated, including that “candidate standing is just the start of the motion in the direction of EU membership.”

One other main matter of the talks was the long run reconstruction of Ukraine. In response to von der Leyen, there may be already “a really clear roadmap.”

“It’s superb to see there may be huge will outdoors Ukraine to help the reconstruction, be it the member states, be it different pals and companions of Ukraine but in addition the worldwide monetary establishments,” she stated, including that companies are additionally keen to assist Ukraine “rise from ashes.”

Earlier, a number of EU member nations made it clear that the method of accession to the bloc will take a very long time. Austrian EU Affairs Minister Karoline Edtstadler predicted that Ukraine wouldn’t be part of the bloc “within the subsequent 5 to 10 years.”

In Might, French President Emmanuel Macron steered that Ukraine might grow to be a part of a ‘European political group’ in the interim, noting that Kiev’s accession to the EU might take years, if not many years. Zelensky lashed out on the thought, saying Ukraine wouldn’t accept any substitute to EU candidate standing and full membership.