Step toward EU membership: Zelenskyy agrees with von der Leyen on Ukrainian legislation screening
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held negotiations with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. They agreed on the start of screening Ukrainian legislation, according to the press service of the Office of the President.
During the negotiations, Zelenskyy and von der Leyen discussed key priorities on the agenda of relations between Ukraine and the EU, particularly regarding the actual start of negotiations on EU membership.
"The President of Ukraine and the President of the European Commission agreed to start screening Ukrainian legislation, which is another step towards the opening of negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union," clarifies the Office of the President.
The parties also focused on the decision to provide Ukraine with 50 billion euros from the EU at the summit scheduled for February 1. Zelenskyy expressed hope for consensus on this matter.
Opening accession negotiations
In December, EU leaders decided to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU during a summit. Before this decision, Ukraine had fulfilled a series of conditions required for such an outcome.
During the consideration of the start of negotiations with Ukraine, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban refused to participate, leaving the room. It was later revealed that he received advice to do so from the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz.
Despite this, during the vote on the 50 billion euros for Ukraine, Orban ultimately vetoed the decision.