Zelensky: “Don’t betray Ukrainians, EU should keep its word and start accession negotiations”

Brussels – He avoids confrontation, and is careful not to go on the offensive directly. Volodymyr Zelensky is aware of what is going on. The Ukraine President knows one EU country is holding back his country’s accession negotiations. But he also knows that others are working to convince it to move forward and urges them to continue.

“Ten years ago, in Ukraine, people rose up under the flag of the European Union,” he recalls speaking from remote at the EU Heads of State and Government Summit. “For them, it was a symbol of truth, and it should remain so. Today, I ask you one thing: do not betray the people and their faith in Europe.” The Ukrainian president’s statement is clear and direct but far from a simple appeal. Failure to heed it would have repercussions that are far from marginal.

“Today is the day when decisions will be made, either in Brussels or Moscow,” Zelensky warns. It all depends on what will or will not happen in Brussels during a discussion on Ukraine’s European path. “Europeans will not understand whether Putin’s satisfied smile will become the reward for a meeting in Brussels,” he says. The key to it all is this: if it is not Ukraine, it will be Russia, with all that may follow. He wants to reiterate this in no uncertain terms to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the only one against negotiations with Kyiv to join the Union. Considering that the EU has created such expectations, disregarding them is no longer an option.

“​Agreements must be honored”, and words must mean something, the president stressed. It means that the EU has gone too far to backtrack and not keep commitments and promises. Provided that there is that promise of ammunition replenishment that shatters against the reality and the impossibility of the EU to proceed as it said it would. Now is the time to move forward with the start of negotiations. “Europe must not fall back into indecision,” pressed Zelensky. “No one wants Europe to be seen as unreliable. Or, unable to make decisions.”

It is not the future of Ukraine alone but also the EU and its geopolitical ambitions. “People in Europe will not see any benefit if Moscow gets a pass from Brussels in the form of a rejection of Ukraine.” Zelensky takes his time and then openly challenges Orban without calling him out but trying to force his hand and even dictate the agenda: “Today is the day for a political decision in response to what we have accomplished.” Translated: “This is about opening accession negotiations with Ukraine.” Then, “in  March next year, approve the negotiating framework to move forward.”