The new President of the European Council, António Costa, promised Ukraine rapid progress in the EU accession process during talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev on Sunday.
Costa, a former Portuguese prime minister, said they would work together to open at least two areas of accession negotiations in the first half of next year.
The new leader of the European Council officially took office earlier on Sunday, together with the new team of commissioners under the second term of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Costa also assured Ukraine of further financial support from the EU in the fight against Russia’s ongoing invasion, and pledged to work for the fifteenth package of sanctions against Russia.
He noted that proceeds from frozen Russian assets in the EU would provide 1.5 billion euros a month in aid to Ukraine from next year.
Furthermore, Costa emphasized that further sanctions would increase pressure on the Russian economy and undermine the war effort.
The European Union officially opened accession negotiations with Ukraine in June.
The duration and successful conclusion of the negotiations remain uncertain, and it is widely considered unlikely that Ukraine will join the EU before the end of the war.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanischyna (R) welcomes the new EU Council President Antonio Costa (2nd from left), the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas (L) and the new EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos (2nd from right) as she arrives a few hours after taking office in Kiev. Ansgar Haase/dpa
