EU Ready to Support Ukraine's Membership Bid for Enhanced Security

European Council President Antonio Costa has stated that Ukraine’s accession to the European Union would provide the strongest security guarantee for the country's future.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Kyiv alongside EU leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Costa emphasized Europe’s commitment to supporting Ukraine's path toward EU membership.

Zelenskyy Urges Continued US Support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated the importance of maintaining unity between Europe and the United States, particularly in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges.

"We shouldn’t lose unity between Europe and the US," Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine’s membership in NATO or the EU would greatly enhance its territorial protection.

Von der Leyen: Ukraine Could Join EU Before 2030

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested that Ukraine could achieve EU membership ahead of 2030, provided it maintains rapid progress on reforms.

"Ukraine’s membership process is merit-based. If they continue at this speed and with this quality, perhaps they could join earlier than 2030," von der Leyen stated.

She also noted that setting a specific membership date would prompt other candidate nations to demand fixed timelines, shifting the process away from a merit-based system.

Ongoing Security Discussions

On the subject of security guarantees, Zelenskyy confirmed that discussions were ongoing but not yet public, stressing the sensitive nature of negotiations.

"We will discuss—now is not the time for a public statement because we have not yet made a decision. We must not prepare Russia for this," he explained.

As Ukraine pushes forward with its EU bid, European leaders continue to stress the importance of stability and security in the region, reinforcing the bloc’s long-term commitment to Ukraine’s integration.