Zelensky Says Fast-Track EU Membership for Ukraine Is Key to Europe’s Future
BRUSSELS — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told EU leaders on Thursday that the future of Europe is being shaped by Ukraine’s defense, and that the best security guarantee for the bloc would be to grant Kyiv fast‑track membership.
“Ukraine merits this because it has paid more than any other country for its right to be free, independent and … European,” Zelensky said in excerpts of his address posted on X. “The future of Europe – free, united and of course in peace – is being decided in our defense.”
He acknowledged that not all member states support accelerated accession, with Hungary demanding the removal of such language from the summit statement. EU ambassadors previously agreed to advance membership talks, beginning with the first of six policy “clusters” to align legislation with the bloc’s standards. The final statement welcomed the opening of talks but removed a reference to accelerating accession.
Zelensky said he wants to end the war by the end of the year through diplomacy and pressure on Russia. “Putin is war,” he added, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine would need gas, diesel, energy equipment, and a missile package of at least 300 missiles if the fighting extends further.
Hours before his address, Ukrainian drone strikes hit targets inside Russia, including an oil refinery in Moscow, the latest in a series of long‑range attacks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov responded that Moscow would carry out “massive coordinated strikes on a regular basis” against Ukraine.
Zelensky also called for the disbursement of 6 billion euros from the EU’s European Peace Facility and urged Ukrainians to be prepared for new attacks. “Europe has to be engaged for us to have a strong position — to commit fully on sanctions without loopholes, on confiscation without exceptions, and on funding Ukraine,” he said.
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