European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Saturday for a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Von der Leyen has told President Zelenskyy in Kyiv that the EU executive’s opinion on Ukraine’s request to join the European Union would be ready by the end of next week.
In a press conference, Von der Leyen said discussions with Zelenskyy “will enable us to finalize our assessment by the end of next week,” about whether to recommend Ukraine as a candidate for membership.
“The people of Ukraine are showing incredible strength and stamina, she said. “Today I’m in Kyiv to continue discussions on our efforts to support in rebuilding your beautiful country. And the process of advancing on the path,” she added.
She has visited soldiers recovering in a hospital in Kyiv. “In spite of the injuries, their spirit is unbroken, ” she said. “These are hard times for Ukraine. Europe is at your side,” she said in a tweet.
This is the second time von der Leyen has visited Ukraine since the start of the war.
She visited Bucha in April, where hundreds of civilian bodies were found after Russian troops withdrew from the city.
Ukraine submitted its EU membership bid in March and the European Commission is expected to publish its assessment on whether the country should be granted candidate status next Friday.
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