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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in Kyiv that Ukraine deserves to become a full member of the European Union, stressing the importance of European political and defense support during the Russia-Ukraine war.
Zelenskyy made the remarks during a joint news conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was in the Ukrainian capital to attend the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit.
Zelenskyy thanked the European Union for the assistance it has provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war.
He said political and defense support from the bloc remained important for his country.
Addressing Ukraine’s integration with the EU, Zelenskyy said there was broad agreement across Europe about the country’s membership prospects.
“Everyone in Europe agrees today. We deserve to become a full member of the EU,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine expected the European Union to approve its 21st package of sanctions against Russia.
He also expressed confidence that cooperation among Ukraine, Europe and the U.S., along with continued international pressure, would help bring an end to the war.
“I am certain that through our joint pressure, through our cooperation with Europe and the U.S., and thanks to our people, we will achieve peace,” Zelenskyy said.
“We will be together, at peace, in a united and strong Europe,” he added.
Zelenskyy also addressed changes within the Ukrainian Cabinet as part of a government reshuffle he announced on July 12.
He said Sergiy Koretskiy, the head of Ukraine’s state oil and natural gas company Naftogaz, had been nominated as the country’s new prime minister.
Koretskiy was selected to replace Prime Minister Yuliya Sviridenko, who resigned as part of the changes within the government.
Zelenskyy said Koretskiy was continuing discussions in parliament before the proposed new Cabinet seeks a vote of confidence.
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