Brussels: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized on Wednesday the critical nature of the upcoming weeks in advancing Ukraine's accession process to the European Union.

According to Anadolu Agency, von der Leyen communicated her thoughts on US social media platform X, following a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. She highlighted the necessity of taking "decisive steps forward" in the accession process, underscoring the importance of this timeframe for Ukraine's EU membership aspirations.

Von der Leyen reaffirmed Europe's unwavering support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict, as she condemned Russia's intensified military actions. She pointed out that enhancing air defense, drone, and counter-drone capabilities are top priorities for Europe's defense strategy, with an emphasis on integrating Ukraine into these efforts.

Furthermore, von der Leyen mentioned the significant role of a Ukraine Support Loan in bolstering Kyiv's military capabilities. She stated that this year alone, the loan would contribute approximately £28.3 billion (nearly $33 billion) to meet Ukraine's defense requirements.