EU Commissioner: Ukraine's prosperity as free state is linked to EU accession

BRUSSELS, Dec 30 (KUNA) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed Tuesday, that Ukraine's prosperity as a free state is ultimately linked to its accession to the European Union, considering this step a fundamental security guarantee and a strategic gain for the European continent. Her remarks came following discussions with European leaders on EU support for Ukraine, its security, and reconstruction efforts.
Von der Leyen added in a post on the platform X that joining the European Union constitutes a core security guarantee for Ukraine, stressing that this step benefits not only the acceding countries but Europe as a whole.
She explained that successive waves of EU enlargement have demonstrated that the accession policy has strengthened stability and prosperity across the European continent, reaffirming the EU's continued commitment to supporting Ukraine in various fields.
In the same context, European Council President Antonio Costa confirmed the unity of the European position regarding efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine, expressing his gratitude to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for his call to convene a leaders-level coordination meeting to assess the latest developments related to the Ukrainian peace talks.
Costa said in a post on X that European leaders are united in their determination to intensify efforts to reach a just and lasting peace, emphasizing continued European coordination to keep pace with developments and support diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict. (end) arn.onm