The European Union’s support for Ukraine remains stronger than ever. Now is not the time to ease anti-Russian sanctions, but to step up support for Ukraine and increase pressure on the aggressor, European Council President António Costa said at a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
It is vital to force Russia into a genuine ceasefire and to bring it to the negotiating table. Costa assured that Ukraine can rely on the EU not only when it comes to support during the war, but also regarding its future in the EU.
“This week we opened two more clusters in our negotiation process. We must keep going, and I would like to pay tribute to you and your parliament, because in the midst of this terrible war you continue to deliver on your commitments, negotiate, and carry out reforms,” he said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen added that the aim now is to open the final two negotiating clusters by the end of the year.
“The goal now is to open the final two clusters by the end of the year, so that we can begin in earnest work on the reforms required for accession,” she said.
At the current EU leaders’ summit, they will discuss assistance to Ukraine ahead of winter. Ursula von der Leyen stressed that Russia has not observed the energy ceasefire for a single moment and continues to escalate, so Brussels is working on a 27th package of sanctions.
“We will not lift a single sanction until Russia stops the war,” she stressed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Europe’s leaders for their strong support.
“Right now, the agenda is energy needs — that is number one. Also, of course, we want this war to end as soon as possible. But at present we do not see any signals from the Russian side that it is ready for this, ready to end the war. That is why we need to prepare for winter. And not only in energy, but also in air defence and financing,” the head of state said.