Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for Ukraine to join the European Union by 2027, but European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declined to confirm a specific timeline.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Kyiv on Tuesday, held as part of a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Zelensky, European Council President Antonio Costa, and von der Leyen discussed Ukraine’s EU membership prospects.
Zelensky made it clear that he hopes accession will take place in 2027 — a date he described as “very important for us” — reiterating his warning that “Putin cannot block our membership for decades.”
However, despite an overall positive tone on other complex issues — including discussions on unlocking a €90 billion financial package for Ukraine — von der Leyen appeared more cautious on the timeline for accession.
“In response to your question whether there is a path for Ukraine to become a member of the European Union, the answer is very clear: yes, of course. Ukraine is on a good path to becoming a member of the European Union. I fully understand that for you a clear date is also important. The date you have set is your standard that you want to achieve. You know that on our side, dates as such are not possible. But certainly, our support for you to reach your goal is absolutely clear,” she stated.
Unfazed, Zelensky reiterated that he wants Ukraine to move forward on an “accelerated path” toward EU membership, aiming to prevent Russia from obstructing the process in the future.
