Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is bracing his fellow citizens for intensifying attacks from Russia as the European Union weighs Ukraine’s application to join the bloc.
Zelensky warned that Russia is accumulating forces in several regions of Ukraine, striking fuel infrastructure, and continuing “fierce fighting” in the Donbas region. The Ukrainian leader said in his Sunday night address that hostilities will ramp up this week as European leaders consider the question of Ukraine’s future EU status at a summit on Thursday and Friday.
UKRAINE BANS RUSSIAN BOOKS AND MUSIC
“Obviously, we should expect greater hostile activity from Russia, purposefully, demonstratively, this week exactly — and not only against Ukraine but also against other European countries. We are preparing. We are ready. We warn partners,” Zelensky said.
Ukraine applied to join the EU four days after Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion. The 27-nation bloc has provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in financial and military support since the start of the war. The EU’s executive committee endorsed Ukraine’s candidacy last week. EU leaders are expected to endorse Ukraine’s application for membership, but finalizing Ukraine’s admittance could take several years.
Zelensky said on Sunday that the European Council’s decision will be one of the most important in Ukraine’s history.
“Tomorrow a truly historic week begins — a week when we will hear the answer from the European Union on the candidate status for Ukraine. We already have a positive decision from the European Commission, and at the end of the new week, there will be a response from the European Council,” he said.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“I think it is obvious to everyone that since 1991, there have been few such fateful decisions for Ukraine as we expect now. And I am convinced that only a positive decision meets the interests of the whole of Europe,” Zelensky added.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Premier Mario Draghi, and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis met with Zelensky in Kyiv last week and promised more aid for Ukraine in a strong show of solidarity between Europe and Ukraine.
