Zelensky said, “No one will give Bakhmut. We will fight as long as we can. We consider Bakhmut our fortress.”
Air raid sirens sounded throughout Ukraine during the day as Zelensky hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel, the 27 EU national leaders.
The EU–Ukraine summit was the first on Ukrainian soil since the Russian invasion. It focused on improving Ukrainian products’ access to the EU market, helping Ukraine meet its energy needs after weeks of airstrikes, new sanctions and prosecution of Russian leaders for war.
Speaking in a video address after the summit, Zelensky said, “Our understanding is that it will be possible for Ukraine to begin EU accession talks this year”.
But there was no promise of fast-track membership at the summit itself and the EU’s next package of sanctions on Russia, its 10th, is expected to fall short of Kyiv’s hopes.
goals to reach
Kyiv applied to become a member of the European Union soon after the invasion began and wants to start formal accession talks as soon as possible.
“There is no hard timeline, but there are goals you have to reach,” von der Leyen told the news conference.