Ursula von der Leyen
“There is much debate about how to realize this merit-based process in a timely manner. But it is crucial to be ready – already now – to bring the countries of the Western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine closer to our Union. Enlargement is not an ideology, it is a matter of common European interest and security. And we must be ready to act when the time comes,” von der Leyen said at the annual EU Ambassadors’ Conference.
The European Commission President noted that when it comes to security, it is necessary to talk about Ukraine:
“Europe will always stand with Ukraine – regardless of what happens elsewhere. We all want this horror and bloodshed to end. And no one wants peace more than the people of Ukraine. But the war must end in a way that does not sow the seeds of future conflicts.”
Ursula von der Leyen recalled that the EU had offered a 90bn-euro loan to finance Ukraine’s needs:
“You have all seen the difficulties we faced to get through this process – even after all 27 leaders agreed to it. This brings us back to the question I raised earlier – whether our mechanism is able to effectively fulfill its obligations. But I can assure you that we will fulfill our commitments because our credibility – and more importantly, our security – is at stake,” the European Commission President said in front of the EU ambassadors.
