Today is the day when determination will be either in Brussels or in Moscow: Zelensky addresses EU summit participants
Kyiv • UNN
President Zelenskyy called on the European Council to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU and emphasized that the country has fulfilled its obligations, warning that not doing so could embolden Putin. He emphasized the symbolic importance of EU unity and the risk of betraying the European people.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during his address to the participants of the European Council summit, said that today is the day when the determination will be either in Brussels or in Moscow and called for a decision to start negotiations with Ukraine on EU accession, reports UNN.
Today is the day when the determination will be either in Brussels or in Moscow. People in Europe will not understand if Putin's satisfied smile is the reward for a meeting in Brussels. These days I have been talking to many of you. We are talking about the solution that was promised. And I have not heard a single counter-argument as to why we should not adhere to the plan approved by the whole of Europe
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He noted that last year Ukraine received clear recommendations on how to move forward.
"We have adopted key laws. All of you - and I emphasize this: all of you - know very well that we have fulfilled every single obligation. And there was a clear schedule for the EU. Today is a political decision in response to what we have done. The decision to start negotiations with Ukraine. And in March of next year, we will approve the negotiation framework on how we will move forward. There is no bureaucracy. Everything is very clear..." Zelensky said.
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He emphasized that Europe deserves to be strong.
"Europe's strength is in unity and determination. Europe deserves a decent policy. It deserves to have its treaties honored and to know that people in Europe will not be deceived. Ten years ago, people in the cities of Ukraine rose up under the flags of the European Union. It was a symbol of truth for them. And it should remain so. I ask you today for one thing - do not betray people and their faith in Europe. If no one believes in Europe, what will save the European Union?" - Zelensky said.
According to him, people in Europe will not see any benefit if Moscow receives a pass from Brussels in the form of negativity about Ukraine.
"Putin will definitely use this against you personally and against the whole of Europe.
Don't give him this first - and only - victory of the year. Europe must win, treaties must be fulfilled, and words must matter," Zelensky emphasized.
Addendum
As Politico reported, there was speculation in Brussels today that Volodymyr Zelenskyy would personally join the EU summit. As indicated, Zelenskyy was eager to attend, and leaders in Brussels eagerly invited him. But, according to the newspaper, citing diplomats, at a meeting of EU ambassadors, several ambassadors expressed reservations about inviting Zelensky to the summit. Their fear was that his presence could cause contradictions with Orban and make the latter even more stubborn.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban showed no signs ofwillingness to compromise on Ukraine's EU accession when he arrived at the summit on Thursday morning.
