Ukrainian foreign minister warns of consequences if EU doesn't start membership talks
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Possible refusal by EU leaders to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession would be detrimental both to Ukraine and the European Union. The decision is expected at this week's summit, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba.
"I cannot imagine, I don’t even want to talk about the devastating consequences that will occur shall the (European) Council fail to make this decision," Kuleba told journalists before meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
Negotiations on Ukraine's EU accession
In November, the European Commission released a report on the progress of Ukraine and other countries on the path to joining the European Union. The document recommended starting negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova.
Consent from all EU member states is required for such a decision. The issue will be discussed at the summit of leaders of the bloc's member countries on December 14-15. Hungary opposes negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU and the allocation of aid.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen before the EU summit to coordinate positions ahead of the European Council meeting.
"We expect a positive decision on the allocation of 50 billion euros and the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU," he said.
