EU Commission chief arrives in Kyiv to discuss Ukraine’s accession to EU

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has arrived in Kyiv welcomed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, the head of the institution confirmed on X.

Von der Leyen is expected to deliver an address in the Verkhovna Rada, says the lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak.

Von der Leyen's visit takes place on the eve of the European Commission's recommendation to start negotiations on Ukraine's membership path to the EU.

The media suggested that this could indicate a positive assessment of Kyiv's progress in the "candidate" reforms.

Ukrainian Deputy PM for European Integration Olha Stefanishyna confirmed that Ursula von der Leyen would arrive in Kyiv before publishing the report on progress toward EU membership.

Von der Leyen visited Kyiv last time in May, meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the EU ammunition supply plan and an upcoming package of sanctions against Russia.

In July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with European Council President Charles Michel the possibility of starting negotiations on Ukraine's EU membership at the end of the year.

The European Commission recommended on June 17, 2022, that Ukraine be granted EU candidate status and put forward seven conditions for the start of accession negotiations.

The EC chief stated that Ukraine will be able to quickly succeed in the process of joining the European Union if it maintains the current reform pace.