Sirens warning the population of the risk of an airstrike sounded this Friday in Kiev and across Ukraine, ahead of the start of the Ukraine-European Union summit, which today brings together senior Ukrainian officials and representatives of the community’s executive branch.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Thursday, accompanied by EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell, with the aim of promoting dialogue on Ukraine’s readiness to join the EU. The Ukrainian capital is also home to the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
All regions of Ukraine are on red.
Before the sirens blare in Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian news website Glavcom, two military aircraft, the AWACS A-50U and a MiG-31K, will have taken off from Belarus.
Charles Michel pledges support to Kiev throughout the EU accession process
However, European Council President Charles Michel assured that the European Union will support Ukraine’s accession at any point in the process, on the same day he is in Kiev for a bilateral summit.
“Nothing will diminish our resolve. We will also support the journey at any time [da Ucrânia] join the EU,” wrote Charles Michel on the social network Twitter, shortly before the start of the EU-Ukraine summit in Kiev.
Back in Kiev for the EU#Ukraine summit with @ZelenskyyUa @vonderleyen And @JosepBorrellF
Our determination will not fail.
We will also support you every step of your journey to the EU. pic.twitter.com/3fnmajrtAZ
-Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) February 3, 2023
The summit takes place at a time when Russia is stepping up its offensive, so the Heads of State and Government of the European Union did not travel to Kiev, as is customary at other summits, and are represented by von der Leyen, Michel and the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell.
The summit will mainly discuss two topics: Ukraine’s entry into the community bloc and financial and military support for the country.
Ukraine wants to join the EU by 2026 (it has been a candidate country since last year), but European leaders are likely to indicate that it is impossible to meet that deadline. However, it is also expected that the EU will give clear signals of its intention to integrate Kyiv through inclusion in the EU internal market and in countries free from roaming in telecommunications.
News updated at 10:04
With Lusa
Source: DN
