Ukraine can join the European Union before 2030 if reforms in the country continue at their current speed and quality, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at a press conference in Kiev, quoted by Reuters, BTA reports.
"I really appreciate the political will that exists. I would even say that if the merit-based process in Ukraine continues at this speed and quality, maybe they will (join) before 2030", said Von der Leyen.
European Council President Antonio Costa added that joining the EU would be the most important guarantee for Ukraine's future. He stressed that peace should not reward the aggressor, but only concrete and strong security guarantees will ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine and in Europe as a whole.
Costa added that EU countries are ready to increase financial and military support for Kiev in order to build Ukraine's future within the Community.
"The European Union is now ready to do everything necessary for its security and to continue supporting Ukraine. That is why I am convening a special European Council next week, on 6 March, to support Ukraine and strengthen Europe's defence. Working closely with the European Commission and Ursula (von der Leyen), we are ready to effectively provide our defense capabilities and invest significantly in them," he said.
At a joint press conference with von der Leyen and Costa in Kiev, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would continue to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia until the war is over and until Ukraine wins, Reuters reported. "I really hope that this war will not last another year", Trudeau said.
During their visit to Kiev, Von der Leyen, Costa and Trudeau were also accompanied by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the leaders of the Baltic and Scandinavian countries, recalls "European Newsroom", which covered the summit in Kiev, organized on the occasion of the third anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine, through its correspondent.
During this visit, the Spanish Prime Minister said that his country would allocate a new package of military aid worth one billion euros to Ukraine this year, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced, quoted by Reuters.
From Kiev, those leaders whose countries are part of the G-7 joined Von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Zelensky in the videoconference meeting of the Group of Eight dedicated to Ukraine.