Ukraine expects to join the EU in 2027, Zelenskyy says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine expects to become a member of the European Union as early as 2027. He announced this on Tuesday, 27 January, during a telephone conversation with Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stecker.
According to the head of state, Ukraine's accession to the EU is not only a political or economic step, but also a strategic security guarantee for the whole of Europe. Zelensky emphasised that Ukraine is capable of making a significant contribution to the common security, technological development and economic growth of the European Union, which is why Kyiv insists on a specific target date of 2027.
He stressed that Ukraine expects support for this position from its European partners, despite the scepticism of some EU countries regarding the possibility of rapid expansion. At the same time, as European diplomats note, the accession procedure is traditionally lengthy and does not provide for a formal fast-track mechanism.
During the conversation, the parties also discussed the situation in the Ukrainian energy sector. Zelensky thanked the Austrian government for the financial assistance that Vienna provided last week to support Ukraine's energy sector amid regular Russian attacks on critical infrastructure. The President noted that additional resources are extremely important for maintaining a stable supply of electricity and heat during the winter.
Separately, Zelensky informed the Austrian Chancellor about the progress of trilateral consultations involving Ukrainian, American and Russian delegations, which took place last week in Abu Dhabi. According to him, during these meetings, in particular, the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine was raised.
Source and photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Telegram
President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Union, Austria, Christian Stecker
