Von der Leyen in Kiev for talks on EU enlargement: ‘Stand firmly by Ukraine’ | outside

Von der Leyen will report in Brussels on Wednesday on progress on reforms in Ukraine. On this basis, the heads of state and government of the European Union countries will decide next December whether it is possible to start accession negotiations with the government in Kiev. That report presented the reason for this trip, which was not announced in advance for safety reasons.

There will also be discussions about financial and military support for Ukraine and possible new sanctions against Russia.

This is already the sixth time since the Russian invasion that von der Leyen has visited Ukraine. The head of the committee told traveling journalists on Saturday that she also wanted to prove through the current visit that “we stand firmly with” Ukraine.

Ukraine has been an official candidate for European Union membership since the summer of 2022. The twenty-seven member states of the European Union must unanimously agree to begin negotiations. Ukraine must meet a series of conditions to achieve this. For example, additional steps must be taken to improve the functioning of the rule of law, strengthen the fight against corruption and money laundering, reduce the influence of the oligarchs and ensure media freedom. Minorities in Ukraine must also be better protected.