{"id":2920,"date":"2025-05-07T13:03:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T13:03:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pinewoodms.com\/?p=2920"},"modified":"2025-05-07T16:22:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T16:22:10","slug":"von-der-leyen-calls-on-eu-to-speed-up-ukrainian-entry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/pinewoodms.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/07\/von-der-leyen-calls-on-eu-to-speed-up-ukrainian-entry\/","title":{"rendered":"Von der Leyen calls on EU to speed up Ukrainian entry"},"content":{"rendered":"
The European Commission chief also urged the bloc\u2019s members to further support Kiev\u2019s military industry<\/strong><\/p>\n Ukraine EU accession talks should be launched in 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed on Wednesday. She argued that such a step would enhance Kiev’s negotiating position against Moscow while also opening the door for more investments in the country’s military industry.<\/p>\n Kiev has repeatedly expressed its desire to join the EU. However, Ukraine’s “immediate”<\/em> accession has been consistently opposed by several member states. Hungary has voiced concerns over corruption, the treatment of ethnic minorities, and economic competition, particularly in agriculture.<\/p>\n Other EU nations, including Slovakia, France, and Germany, have also expressed reservations, emphasizing that Kiev must meet existing reform benchmarks before talks proceed.<\/p>\n Speaking at a Europe Day event on May 7, von der Leyen said that the EU’s current task is to “help Ukraine stand strong, defy Putin’s intimidations.”<\/em><\/p>\n “Today, I would like to focus on how we can do so, and on three priorities for our action. First, support Ukraine’s defense. Second, complete the phase-out of Russian fossil fuels. And third, accelerate Ukraine’s accession path to our Union.”<\/em><\/p>\n