**Zelenskiy Advocates for Fast-Track EU Membership for Ukraine at EU Summit**
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed an EU summit on Thursday, asserting that the future of Europe is closely tied to the defense of Ukraine and advocating for the expedited membership of Ukraine in the European Union. He emphasized that granting Ukraine fast-track EU membership would serve as a vital security guarantee for the continent.
In his remarks, Zelenskiy expressed Ukraine's desire to conclude the ongoing war with Russia by the end of the year. He urged EU member states to support Ukraine in preparing for another winter, specifically requesting air defense missiles and fuel to bolster the country’s defenses against potential Russian aggression.
"Every democratic nation in Europe deserves to be in the EU," Zelenskiy stated, highlighting Ukraine's sacrifices in its pursuit of freedom and independence. He claimed, "Ukraine merits this because it has paid more than any other country for its right to be free, independent and … European." He further articulated that the future of Europe, characterized by freedom, unity, and peace, is being determined through Ukraine's defense efforts.
Zelenskiy's call for accelerated EU membership comes amid ongoing military operations. Earlier in the day, Ukrainian airstrikes targeted locations deep within Russia, including an oil refinery in Moscow. These strikes were presented as evidence of Ukraine's military capabilities during Zelenskiy’s discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump and other G7 leaders in France.
Despite Zelenskiy's push for fast-tracked accession, he acknowledged that not all EU member states are in favor of this approach. Hungary, in particular, has expressed opposition, leading to the removal of references to expedited membership from a European Council statement following the summit. Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar confirmed this development on social media, stating, "It wasn’t easy."
In the lead-up to the summit, EU ambassadors had agreed to advance membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova. The European Council's statement after the summit welcomed the initiation of these talks but did not include a commitment to accelerate Ukraine's accession process.
Zelenskiy also addressed the need for continued military support from Europe, emphasizing that Ukraine is striving to end the war through a combination of diplomacy, sanctions, and military pressure on Russia. He noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not inclined to negotiate a peace deal, stating, "Putin is war." If hostilities persist, Zelenskiy indicated that Ukraine would require significant supplies, including gas, diesel fuel, energy equipment, and a package of at least 300 missiles.
The security of Europe, according to Zelenskiy, hinges on ensuring adequate funding for Ukraine's military. He called on the EU and its allies to develop financial mechanisms to support Ukraine's defense needs. In a recent announcement, nine countries pledged a total of $1 billion to procure Patriot missiles for Ukraine, which are critical for defending against Russian ballistic missile threats.
However, there are concerns regarding the availability of these missiles, as European plans to purchase additional Patriot systems from the U.S. may be complicated by Washington's focus on other geopolitical issues, particularly regarding Iran.
In total, Ukraine's partners have announced approximately $4 billion in new aid, which includes long-range artillery ammunition, funding for drones, cruise missiles, and naval drones. Additionally, Zelenskiy called for the disbursement of €6 billion (approximately $6.9 billion) from the EU's European Peace Facility, aimed at enhancing international security.
The situation remains tense, with Zelenskiy warning Ukrainians to prepare for intensified attacks from Russian forces. He urged citizens to utilize available shelters as the threat of missile and drone strikes looms. In response to the recent drone attack on Moscow's oil refinery, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow would conduct "massive coordinated strikes on a regular basis" against Ukraine.
As the conflict continues, the discussions surrounding Ukraine's EU membership and the broader implications for European security remain critical topics of concern among EU leaders and member states.