Have the article read by OpenAI (Beta). Please note that AI translations may take some time to process.Kyiv (dpa) – New European Council President António Costa has pledged Ukraine swift progress in the European Union accession process during discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the country’s capital city Kyiv on Sunday.
In the surprise visit to Ukraine, Costa travelled along with the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and new EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos.
Costa, a former Portuguese prime minister, said they would work together to open at least two areas of accession negotiations in the first half of 2025.
The new European Council leader officially took up office earlier on Sunday along with the new team of commissioners under the second term of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Costa also assured Ukraine of further EU financial assistance in the fight against Russia’s ongoing invasion, and committed to efforts on the 15th package of sanctions against Russia.
He noted that starting next year, proceeds from frozen Russian assets in the EU would provide 1.5 billion Euro (1.6 billion Dollars) per month in aid to Ukraine.
Additionally, Costa emphasized that further sanctions would intensify pressure on Russia’s economy and undermine its war efforts.
The European Union officially opened accession negotiations with Ukraine in June this year after granting it EU candidate status in June 2022. The duration and successful conclusion of the negotiations remain uncertain, and it is widely regarded as unlikely that Ukraine will join the EU before the war’s end. (1 December)
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