Ukraine application for EU will ‘take time,’ ‘hard to say’ when process will end

European Union President Ursula von der Leyen stated it’s troublesome to say how lengthy the method to confess Ukraine will take, however that it’ll take “due time” to finish. 

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy formally signed an EU membership utility on Feb. 28, 4 days after Russia invaded his nation. Eight member states signed a letter supporting an accelerated ascension course of for Ukraine, which might additional velocity up its integration of financial and vitality programs with Europe. 

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However von der Leyen cautioned that the method will nonetheless take time to finish. 

“This course of will take due time,” she stated throughout an look on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday. “However we should always not overlook that earlier than this struggle began, we had already labored intensively collectively, for instance, integrating the 2 markets attempting to help as a lot as potential Ukraine not solely financially but additionally, for instance, in vitality safety.”

“So lots has been finished,” she added. “There needs to be finished nonetheless fairly some work for any level of being extra nearer. However that this course of is now in movement.” 

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When pressed to offer a timeframe at “the earliest” the admission might happen, von der Leyen stated it’s “laborious to say,” as that may rely upon “the event on the bottom.”  

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly handpicked former Ukraine President Victor Yanukovych to exchange Zelenskyy ought to Russia achieve capturing Kyiv and establishing management over the nation. Ought to Putin succeed, Yanukovych might withdraw from any functions his predecessor initiated. 

Fears over additional Russian army motion of their nations prompted Moldova and Georgia to additionally submit functions to affix the EU. The EU doesn’t present army safety, nevertheless.